Wet Black Soot Exhaust

[Tom B.]

My 38 runs well, however when I start the engine wet black soot shoots out the exhaust pipes. It makes a mess in the driveway. No drop in coolant or increase in oil. No gray smoke in exhaust. It does seem to be more than condensation. What is it?

[Terry,OH]

Since your not loosing coolant, the water has to be condensation and the black soot is most likely a rich burning condition. Pull several plugs and check for the soot deposits on them. If you baby the engine a lot or the carb has problems, the soot can build up. Depending upon the moisture in the air the there can be a lot of condensation.

[bk53]

i had that till I blew the carbon out of her. rich idle condition contributed greatly. Ken ct rebuilt the carb. It was after that the soot quit showing up. I do run 100 miles a week at highway speed, 60-65. as for the water you can put 1/8 holes at the exhaust low point etc. but I'm not seeing that either anymore and I didn't drill the exhaust..

[G.M.]

Put a large bottle of Barr's heavy duty aiuminum stop leak in and it will stop. G.M.

[Barlea]

Barr's stops condensation in your exhaust? And carbon from a rich mixture?? ..B.

[alan]

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would you happen to live in a damp climate? as I do, if so bk53 is correct and do pull the plugs to look at them. I have been using NGK and Autolite 216 with better results than the AC plugs for some strange reason also check for a good spark

[G.M.]

I have LOTS of old Fords and most did this and the Barr's stops it. On a cool day you will get a little condensation but what was described is a typical small leak. This mixes with the carbon in the pipes and muffler and makes the black mess. G.M.

[Tom B.]

If you're running too rich, do you turn the jets in or out?

[bk53]

the idle mixture screws ... in leans them out I think. I never got it right and finally had an old t-bird guy do it. he didn't say what he did but its perfect and so I ain't even looking at them. Somebody else here knowsd way more about it than i do. I think proper timing for your setup will make a big difference too.

[1952henry]

Set with vacuum guage. Rather than type it all, I pasted this.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/45638/

[flathead4rd]

Aren't the idle mixture screws strictly for what they are called? Adjusting the idle. If you are running rich I would think that means you need to change your jet size or your choke is not open all the way. ?

[ken ct]

Originally Posted by Tom B.

If you're running too rich, do you turn the jets in or out?

That only affects the idle mix. ken ct.

[ken ct]

Originally Posted by flathead4rd

Aren't the idle mixture screws strictly for what they are called? Adjusting the idle. If you are running rich I would think that means you need to change your jet size or your choke is not open all the way. ?

Right as rain 4d. ken ct.

[Barlea]

Water is one of the products of combustion, and is most noticeable before the engine gets to operating temperature. It is still present at operating temperature, but not as a liquid. Warmup on choke adds the carbon, thus the typical driveway mess. Use thermostats and warm it up on the road. ..B.

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by ken ct

That only affects the idle mix. ken ct.

Actually the idle circuit continues to provide fuel at low load/low throttle angle driving conditions. So a rich idle can also lead to poorer gas mileage.

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by G.M.

I have LOTS of old Fords and most did this and the Barr's stops it. On a cool day you will get a little condensation but what was described is a typical small leak. This mixes with the carbon in the pipes and muffler and makes the black mess. G.M.

Don't forget, Barrs Leak and MMO will fix almost any problem on a flathead.

[Mike in AZ]

just curious about how long you are running your engine....trips??....getting engine temp up to normal and running it that way for a while??....thanks....Mike

[all american boy]

tom b

take off aircleaner.

start engine.

look down carb and make sure

you don't see gas pouring into engine.

that's stuck float.

use a bright flashlight and safety glasses,

in case of backfire.

bye

[sortkaffekop]

Originally Posted by Tom B.

If you're running too rich, do you turn the jets in or out?

So: What is it?

Will adjusting theese screws cure fouling/Carbon on plugs?

Thanks/Christian

[Snouts out]

In..! If your still fouling plugs,rebuild the carb.