2.2 is smoking like James bond car.

[upwardr]

My 71 is back together after a paint job and other deeds, it's been a 3 yr project and after troubles getting it running again I have found it smoking quite badly.
I changed the oil and filter but still have a smoker.
I used 20/50 oil and have installed new plugs.

This seems like a bad thing. I had the top end done many years ago but looks like I need an overhaul.

Does this seem like the only solution or could there be some other culprit for the blue smoke?
Could going to a lighter oil be better or worse?

[Lapkritis]

I suspect a stem seal probably gave up the ghost. Sometimes rings stick and will come free with some use and the smoke will subside. How long did you run it with the smoke?

[upwardr]

Drove to get some gas, about 3 miles. It's kind of embarrassing.

[E Sully]

It could just be oil that has accumulated in the exhaust system. On first start after my rebuild I smoked for about 20 minutes as the old oil in the exhaust burned off. If the engine is not making any bad noises, you can try taking it for a nice long drive at night to see if it clears up.

[HawgRyder]

Learn to say....Bond...James Bond...?
Bob...just plain Bob

[lindy 911]

Larry,

If you are making good oil pressure and the temps are in range, I'd take it out for a good old Italian tune up. Find a place where you can run it up to near red line in first through forth and then back down. Repeat until the smoke goes away. This could take a half hour or so. If it doesn't go away you will know you have other projects to contemplate. It's not uncommon on a car that has been sitting to smoke.

[K Sykes]

If you've only started it a couple of time and gone for gas, do what others suggest and get it HOT, and drive it hard. Bet the smoke clears.

[KTL]

Too much oil put in tank when you filled/changed it? I recently did this and what an embarrassment is right. And yes, holy crap yes, does it smoke a lot. A lot doesn't even begin to describe the smoke screen. James Bond ain't got nothin' on these 911 motors when you activate the smoke screen.......

[upwardr]

Thanks for the suggestions, no not too much oil. Will go for an evening drive to get hot as suggested and keep my fingers crossed. I bought this car 28 yrs ago and it had 165000 miles on it then. Kind of lost track of miles I put on it since a broken speedo got changed 15 yrs ago. I have never done the bottom end and doubt it was done before I got it

I did the top end couple of years ago, wait, 25 years ago....

Guess its time, hope not.

[stownsen914]

Sometimes oil can seep from the tank past the oil pump and into the engine while it's sitting for a long time. If enough gets in there, the sump fills up to the bottom of the cylinders, and oil can slowly seep past the pistons into the combustion chamber or even into the exhaust pipes. It'll smoke like crazy upon startup after this happens. Lasts 10-15 minutes in my experience. I just had this happen to my 914/6 racecar recently. If this is your issue, nothing special to do to other than drive it normally for a bit and it should burn off.

Scott

[KTL]

Good point by Scott on the leakage past the pump filling the engine sump very full. One thing to add to Scott's is the muffler issue. The oil gets out of the engine quite easily and even the exhaust pipes. The challenge is the muffler itself. Takes a long time to get that cleared out. I've found it helps to "rinse" the muffler with a degreaser (non flammable!) and let dry. Helps to speed the stoppage of smoking.

[upwardr]

To all that replied you guys are awesome . I waited till after dark and went for a nice drive and sure enough, running pretty clear.

Went for about 35 minutes and ran out well. Had a few rough spots. Backfiring and farting onto the off ramp after a spirited run.

Now I remember why I loved driving the 911, it's a bit quicker than the 64C.

Again thanks to all for the advice.

Larry

[Lapkritis]

Great to hear. They love to be driven. Keep it on the regular rotation and it'll be happy. Enjoy.