Hello, everyone - I'm the defacto caregiver for a pretty old 73 poptop camper. While the body is nearly perfect, we've replaced about 2/3 of the mechanical pieces. I've used the archives of this group extensively for information about symptoms I'm seeing, but I'm a little stumped now and am wondering if anyone can help...
The engine that's in there now is fairly new - not more that 5000 miles, according to the 3000 that were on it when it was sold to us, and the 2000 we've put on it since. More recently, I've replaced the starter and alternator, rebuilt the carburator (solex 2 barrel), tuned it up, etc. It was running pretty darn good for at least a week there.
We took the van to the eastern Washington desert this weekend. At one point we got onto some very dusty roads, which clogged the air filter and, eventually, the points. At this time I noticed a slight oil leak starting; I thought it was the right valve cover.
Once we got the points and air cleaner cleaned up, it ran famously again. But as we headed home it began eating more and more oil - like, a quart every 60 miles or so, now. I just replaced the points (they had gotten sorta fouled) and that helped it run a little smoother but it's still losing oil and, now, burning a lot - a good screen of smoke, especially on startup.
The oil is most prevalent around the oil filler and dipstick, and it's leaking along the left-to-right seam in the engine block above the fan (I'm not sure what that area is called). From what I have seen, that says a leak around the pulley - and two mechanics have said "rear seal" and "pulley seal" - but from reading this group, it sounds like there's no seal there, and I'm not sure how to address that problem. Would a leak there cause oily exhaust?
The oil leaks while it's running, and a considerable amount just after stopping. But not to much when it's idling, and none when it's not running...
Further - I checked the PCV hose, it's clear and there's a lot of smoke coming out of there. When I connect it to the air cleaner, the engine slows 100-200 rpm.
Can anyone help me here? What more can I check out? Is this indicative of a leaky pulley? How can I check that?
Thanks in advance! Elijah