I have a '48 flathead 6 cylinder that was rebuilt about 15 years ago and was started infrequently. The truck was not really driven at all and the engine has probably run only 3-4 hours total over this time. It has been started now and runs very smooth. However, after about 5 minutes or so of idling it starts to smoke (white) out the tailpipe. I have been told this is probably rings sticking. Is there anything I can do to fix the problem and avoid taking the motor apart? Any other thoughts on what this might be?

 

If it's white smoke it sounds like a water leak, oil would be dark blue most likely. My 51 226 blows water out the tail pipe once and a while. I have read about the Ford Flathead 6 inherently having a water leak between 3 and 4 cylinder due to head warpage in that area. My 226 usually leaks when I restart it just after it has reached 180 and has sit for about 15 minutes. A leak down test would probably nail it down for sure, and a head resurface, and new gasket would probavly cure it. As for the oil, my 6 was using a quart about every 100 miles. At last oil change I dumped some Lucas Oil Stabilizer in it and to utter admazement it isn't hardly using any oil at all now. My thoughts are that your 226 just needs to be driven more, my 51 is my only vehicle at this time. I'm lucky I only have to drive it 10 or so miles a day to work.

Hope this helps answer your questions
Rod

 

mh48 forgot to mention welcome to the forum it's always good to have fellow Flathead 6 people to converse with.

 

It may just be moisture in your oil from condensation boiling off
If it stops smoking after running for a while I wouldn't worry about it

Stephen

 

I would put some Marvel Mystery Oil in the motor oil as well as the gasoline and run the engine. If the rings are sticking, this should help free them up.

 

rswhitmore welcome to the forum, that's a good idea, I used Marvel Mistery Oil to lubricate the cylinders when getting my 226 started after it had been sitting for 15 years, you can also add it to the gas.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will try the Marvel Mystery Oil this weekend.

 

Watch for MM Oilers on ebay. They screw to the firewall. You fill the jar with MM and let vacuum do the trick. More hassle than dumping it in your tank, but they look neat. A definate period -correct accessory.