<VV> LM Engine Questions/Answers

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/31/2005 5:18:47 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
rsampson at kc.rr.com writes:

1)   Did a cylinder pressure study...
1-150 3-175 5-180  2-150 4-160 6-150
At what point should I consider  rings ?
I'd be jumping for joy with those readings! Is it smoking? 



2) At present, I consume 1 qt of 20w50 oil per 40 mi run to and  from work...
excessive blowby and plugs 3 and 5 get  fouled atleast once a week.
With the above readings , I  am assuming bad guides, anyother 
possibilities ?
The readings above point toward guides for an oil  usage problem. But 
sometimes compression rings can be okay and oil rings fail.  Have you done a cylinder 
leakdown test? What is the source of the blowby? That  is the question. Bad 
valve guides shouldn't cause it. 
Band-aid fix - better ignition to fire those "fouled"  plugs? Is the motor 
leaking at all?



3)  Lifters, I'm considering replacing them all but the  blurb from 
Clarks advises
against replacement on  an old cam. I've got a couple that are very 
sensitive to
oil levels/pressure...Comments ?
Replacing a couple is the inexpensive way to go, and avoids an engine  
teardown, at least for now. Use assembly lube on the faces of the  lifter. But if 
the rings do need replacing, you should give a thought to a  complete teardown. 
How many miles on the motor?
 
- Seth