hello, i have a 390 in my 79 f-150 4x4, with headers and straighpipes, and stuff, and the question i got is what could cause it to smoke so bad out of one side but not out of the other, the driver side smokes like mad, but the pasenger side is just fine, one guy i talked to said its the rings, and another said the valve stem seals,
so i figured i would get the expertice from the FTE crew what they thought
any help is appreciated
thanks

 

First, do a compression test. That will tell you the conditions of the rings.
Then, if that checks OK, pull the valve covers and check the oil drainback passages in the heads. They could be clogged. While you're in there you could also put restrictors in the oil passages to the rockers.
Hope this helps.
Greg

 

Color ? What color is the smoke?
Blue, Black, or White are the choices.

 

big red.....
I got the exact same thing goin on man... 'Cept mine is a 78 with a 360. Anyway, Mine smokes BLUE out the driver side aswell,
I JUST did a compression test....not as bad as i thought it would be.
So.. cylinder #1= 115 nice and fast
#2=95 sloww
#3=125 nice and fast
#4=130 aswell nice an fast

#5=120 fast
#6=140 fast
#7=90 slowww
#8=140 fast
So put bit of oil down good ol number 7 there....tested again..an she ripped right up to 120.... Which means ring...I didnt bother wiht tryin number 2. I just figure its also the ring.
I also need head gaskets...as my oil is millllky and water out exhaust.
Anyone got a ballpark on price of getting 'someone' to do just the rings and headgaskets??
Thanks.

 

longview1,

Good luck getting anyone to "just do the rings".
A %^&$ Ch*by owner (oops, and I never swear. Especially here) taught me my lesson. Brought his truck in on a Thursday with a really bad rod knock. Going on a fishin' trip and really needed his truck with the camper on it. Tied into it for a lloooonnnnggggg weekend ('til 3 AM Saturday and Sunday) and got it done for him on Monday. He said he needed it Tuesday. Put in a crank kit (rod checked fine), cut the ridge, honed the cylinders, fresh rings. Didn't dare not cut the ridge and put in new rings with the new crank. Owner authorized all work. Ran great.
Then he didn't show up to pick up his truck until Thursday the following week. Thought all was OK (he did test drive it before he paid) 'til he brought it back 3 weeks later with a slight case of piston slap. (Only when cold). Put in a rebuilt shortblock (reputable rebuilder) at our cost. Ouch! Thought we were rid of him. A short time later, guess what? Same problem. Sent him directly to the rebuilder and I heard they put in 2 more to finally satisfy this guy.
Sorry about the long post. Just had to rant. I consider it a lesson learned.
BTW, The heads will have to come off to do the rings so the gaskets will be replaced anyway. Just make sure to tell them about the water leak in case it isn't the head gasket so they'll look for the cause.
Just my 2 (and 1/2)¢
Greg

 

hey thanks for advice man.
those damn che$$y owners eh...
Ya i was just curious to what it would be...I got a buddy down at work , I could get him to help me out if necessary.

 

Yeah, doin' it yourself is possible. Just be aware that when you're doing rings, you're taking the rods off the crank so new rod bearings would be a good idea. As long as you're replacing the rod bearings, might as well do the mains. As long as you're doing the mains, might as well replace the timing chain. And the whole thing is easier with the engine out. As long as the engine is out... You get the idea. It all depends on your budget.

 

heheh that about sums it up.
Ya....damn budget....
also cant be hoist'n an engine out of the truck on the side of the road, or on my driveway=which is a hill.
thanks man