All of the good advice has not been ignored. I finally got around to doing the compression check today. Recall that plug #2 has been the culprit. The engine was thoroughly warmed after a good forty mile drive when we checked the compression. The results:
Cylinder Pressure
1 . . . . . . 165
2 . . . . . . 175
3 . . . . . . 170
4 . . . . . . 165
5 . . . . . . 170
6 . . . . . . 170
7 . . . . . . 165
8 . . . . . . 170
The engine still uses
oil at the same rate, but there is not a hint of blue smoke when driving nor is there any oily film in the right side pipe. Other than adding
oil and plug number 2 being carbon covered, one would not have the slightest clue there was a problem. There is a bit of black smoke when starting but after a couple of minutes of warm up that ends. The engine starts every time, pulls without effort, does not miss, just runs great.
Now have about 2550 miles on the engine.
My inclination is to drive it another 500 miles and see if it has a bit more ‘breaking in’ to do. Sound reasonable???
Chuck