My '72 ES is a mess that I hope to improve next year with I finish a couple of other projects. Meanwhile it is a daily driver that has begun to show problems in hot weather.

The engine losses oil, probably a combination of leaks from from the seals and blow-by from the rings. When I start the car or step on the gas firmly I get a puff of light gray smoke from the exhaust. And, about half the time when driving I can smell fuel. It doesn't smell like gasoline--seems sweeter and lighter than that.

A couple of weeks ago I was stuck in city traffic for quite a while and the idle grew rougher and rougher. Finally the car died, and when I tried to restart it a puff of light grey smoke came out of the front of the car--I suppose back through the air cleaner. This rough idle phenomena has continued after the engine gets thouroughly warmed. Once, when re-starting after a quick errand, I got the smoke from the front again.

I intend to do a rebuild of another engine I have and drop it in, but that won't happen for a few months. Any ideas on solving this problem so I can keep the current engine limping along?

First,
I have a 71 E wih 134 AC rotary compressor, elec fan in front of A/C Condensor, and rebuilt motor with slighly lowered compression (to prevent knocking).

In traffic tem rises, idle gets rougher, temp rises more where I turn of A/C, idel is still rough. If temp rises much more I pull over. Don't know if it would stop itself.

The fuel delivery sustem is in top notch condition (newer injectors, newmanifold pressure sensor, new fuel regulator, etc. Passes emmissions test wit high margin of passing.

These same symptoms occur with a buddy of mines 72 E, and on a 73ES I sold.

My feeling, thses casrs simply don't like 100 degree plus waterh (90 actually :-) ). I always felt it was the small confined engin area that kept heat in. Could be evaporation in the fuel rail.

For a 544 once made a heat sheild and insulated with fiberglass that worked okay, for the carbs over the exhaust manifold.

Well, in summary I think it is a car feature.. Anyone else solved it?

Carl

Do you have an automatic transmission?
Is it indeed losing a lot of oil out of the crankcase, or could
it be coming from somewhere else?
How's gas mileage?
Does the engine run hot?
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

I'd consider changing the system over to R134 from R12. R12 is becoming very expensive and you can't buy a refill kit anymore (if you are in the USA). The last two refills I had cost over $200 US!!!! However, if you really use the AC so seldom, maybe just leaving it empty would be the way to go.

Nah, I looked at Greg's Mustang Thread and a few others. Empty it will stay for that kind of money.
Thanks Jim
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwr and two motorcycles: it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me