3Fe Ring job

[TN_LandCruiser]

Anyone ever done a ring job on a 3Fe? Mine is puffing blue smoke on start up and occassionally on initial acceleration, so Im guessing Im gettng blow by.

Anyone have suggestions on a way to confirm? Anyone want to help a poor banana mechanic fix the issue?

Its not an immediate need, more of an irritant right now as I hate smoking /dripping cars!

[sk8salomon]

i don't know crapola about a 3FE. my only experience with puffing blue smoke after startup was a chevy 305 that needed valve seals. the oil from the valve cover would drip into the cylinders after it sat for a while.

[chattfj40]

Originally Posted by TN_LandCruiser

I hate smoking /dripping cars!

wow...you do know you pick the wrong vehicle...right?

but seriously, I'd dig a little deeper before pulling the head...if only to know what to expect when the head comes off. Compression and a Leak down test come to mind. I'd just like a little more info before tearing into it. Post (or search) over on the 80s forum and see what you can find out, cause I also know zilch about the 3fe

[Hugh Heifer]

Originally Posted by chattfj40

Compression and a Leak down test come to mind.

Yeppers - was going to reccomend that. I am betting the numbers will be bad though. My F was blowing oil out the exhaust

[TN_LandCruiser]

Its not bad...just occassional blue...

I can get a compression test kit on loan from AutoZone...but how do you perform a leak down test?

[Hugh Heifer]

Originally Posted by TN_LandCruiser

but how do you perform a leak down test?

Special tools again.
One way:
To perform a leakdown, start by taking off the oil cap off. Then you bring the cylinder to top dead center (TDC). Hook up the leakdown attachment to an air compressor and screw it in the spark plug hole. Turn the compressor on and bring the cylinder pressure to the factory spec. (I do not know the numbers.) The attachment allows air into the cylinder and brings it to the factory pressure. You then listen for air coming out of the manifolds. If you hear air hissing out of either manifold or the muffler you have bad valve seals. If you hear air hissing out of the oil cap or breather valve (if the oil cap is still on the motor), then chance are your rings are bad.

And another:

http://www.freeautomechanic.com/leakdowntest.html

And a thread in the 80 section:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/171333-cylinder-leak-down-pressure-test-questions.html

[DSLTOY]

A little less precise but easier test- do normal compression test, if numbers are low squirt oil in cylinder and rerun test,if pressure comes up the rings are bad , if it doesn't then the valves are bad.