Blowing white smoke

[rScotty]

I'm with those that have suggested doing a compression check. As I work for a diagnostic tool company, everyday I see users of our tool pour money into parts that were not part of a problem. Fatjay, as you are fellow Pennsylvanian living on lock down as am I (I'm from Ambler), I would invest in a compression guage and learning how to use it. That would eliminate problems with the pistons and valves.

The fueling issue can produce white smoke but usually when fueling problems occur in a gas engine, the engine does not run well. Often white smoke when it's a fueling issue would come out the the exhaust because the engine is running very lean.

I'm not saying you won't use your gaskets, but the pressure build-up in the crankcase - that is the concern.. Didn't you write that the oil check dip stick and the oil cap blew off? I think the compression check is the way to go. Find why the engine pressures are not right. Remember, an engine is nothing more than an air pump. It sucks the air in and it has to blow it out. If the air cannot go to the exhaust port, then it goes somewhere else... The question is what is causing the diversion.

All that's worth repeating. I think you might have two problems - one being that a stuck float loaded your crankcase with gasoline...and the other being that it seems (from the sound) to be low on compression. I'd change oil, drain the old gas & put in new, check the carb for a stuck float, clean the spark plugs and check the plug wires to make sure you aren't losing spark (take picture of the dirty plugs first). Now try running it again to see if it makes a difference.
If that doesn't fix it, I'd consider ordering a screw-in compression gauge, because the problem is deeper.
rScotty

 

[TimberHole]

Why would you not do a compression test? Your local auto parts store probably has a loan program for the tester. If I remember right this is a flathead engine. Should be easy to see if the valves are going up and down.

 

[rScotty]

Why would you not do a compression test? Your local auto parts store probably has a loan program for the tester. If I remember right this is a flathead engine. Should be easy to see if the valves are going up and down.

That's a fair question. And my answer is ....Well, if it was me I would. But that's probably because I have a compression gauge kit handy. I like to use it because it's a beauty with half a dozen different spark plug thread adapters in a red fitted case, and I am always looking for a chance to use it or loan it out. I remember when I bought it.

But I didn't have that tester so handy, it would be an hour into town and another back on the off chance I could borrow one - although I agree that poor compression stands a 50/50 chance of being where this will end up. But why start there?

Anyway, I used to have a mechanical shop and caught my share of calls like this one. So now when writing for the OP I try to give a choice of ideas that anyone can do immediately with simple tools. Most people can unscrew a spark plug and lay it on the head to see what the spark looks like when the engine is cranked. The condition of the spark plug might tell something as well. If the problem is a stuck float and gas has been leaking to the crankcase then an oil change will solve that and the smell of the thinned down oil is something the OP will notice.

It could be that the gas is very old or has water in it or the tank. That's why to change the gasoline.

I don't see the problem as being a head gasket when a flathead air cooled engine runs and smokes like that.

Then there's that peculiar "soft" sound as it runs. That is an odd sound. But that could well be a case of having worn and very retarded timing. I didn't mention that and should have. Timing is hard for a novice to adjust, but in this case he might not have to do so. Just rotate the engine by hand and measure the opening of the points, knowing as we do that as the points follower naturarally wears on the points cam the effect will be to ****** the timing. To fix that, adjust how much the points can open so that at full open they are between .012" to .015" ......which is about the thickness of a match book cover = close enough.
If the problem is retarded timing that will make enough of a difference to be instantly noticible.
rScotty

 

[Alien]

Hole in a piston
Rings broken
Sucking engine oil in the intake manifold. (leaking gasket, loose manifold)
Check each spark plug for oil soak.

A very significant fault for sure.

 

[Molalla1]

Hole in a piston
Rings broken
Sucking engine oil in the intake manifold. (leaking gasket, loose manifold)
Check each spark plug for oil soak.

A very significant fault for sure.

Isn't that bad . . . check the head gasket and go on from there if needed.

 

[The Fred]

If it's air-cooled it's not a head gasket. More like ignition cross firing to another cylinder inside the distributor cap.

Man that thing sounds like it was designed for the movies or TV like Green Acres. Put it for sale on Ebay, make sure to explain how it was built for 60s TV show, you'll make a fortune.

 

[fatjay]

And the answer is... hole in piston! Time to get on the internet and see about doing a diesel repower. Everything else is great so why not. There's a 24hp kubota diesel for $900 not far from me, just going to have to take some measurements to make sure it fits.

 

[airbiscuit]

The mystery is solved. That's not a bad price for a 24 hp Kubota diesel. Your old Wisconsin engine probably has some salvage/parts value.

 

[metalbender]

Lots of internal crankcase pressure there, has to blow out somewhere.

 

[Alien]

My initial diagnosis was spot on! (I have seen this before in 5.8 Litre Ford F series)

Looks like the head gasket was blown between those 2 cylinders as well.

I see your inlet manifold is broken as well.
Time for that new donkey....