My 1984 110V8 with 105k on the clock has always been a bit "tappety" and recently it backfired on the motorway at 70mph. Since then it's been a bit lumpy (not sure it's firing on all cylinders). I changed the plugs - one was a bit wide gapped, with a worn electrode, and when removing the leads one at a time there wasn't much difference in engine note when 3,5 or 2 leads were removed. I have also noticed quite a bit of smoke, eminating from the n/s breather when the pipe is removed, and from the oil filler when the cap is removed, but what is quite a bit? what's excessive? The RPM drops significantly when the breather is removed from the n/s carb - is this normal?
I found the breather was blocked so I did the ritual setting on fire and can now see daylight through it. On refitting the breather the engine feels a bit smoother, but still quite a bit of smoke from anywhere that smoke can escape from the top - the o/s rocker cover gasket appears to have a leak from the front, or at least smoke is eminating from there - or is there anywhere lower down that smoke can escape from?
I've checked the timing, dwell angle etc, all OK and it recently had a new dizzy cap and leads. The exhaust doesn't smoke apart from when under heavy load with choke out.
I know it needs a new cam and all the rest, but maybe I should investigate a replacement engine? If so, what is the easiest (and not most expensive) option. I don't mind another V8 if I could find one in decent condition, or I wouldn't mind a diesel conversion - are there any that mate to the old 4 speed manual box? Main problem is time, since the 110 is used daily for work, and couldn't be off the road for ideally any longer than 3/4 days.
opinions please?