Black oil help?

[lotsagas4u]

Have a rebuilt 36 engine driving me crazy. I can change oil, 4 quarts, (no oil filter), oil on stick is bright clear. After I drive car, 30 or 40 miles, and after sitting overnight, stick is black as coal. It wipes right off, insert stick and its fairly clean with black streaks in it. It gets worse as the more miles I drive. I know the pan isn't full of sludge. The crossover ports are blocked on the block, and the pan is the vented type . Engine has no thermostats, runs around 190 degrees. I have been using Brad Penn, green, 10w30. Engine has around 1000 miles on it, oil pressure is around 60 lbs start, 20 lbs after a run. Any thoughts on what could cause this? Thanks

[Ken/Alabama]

Nature of the beast. Just drive it.

[michael a]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

Nature of the beast. Just drive it.

So tell us what's your problem?

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

[lotsagas4u]

Ken, this is my first flathead engine that I've dealt with, I thought it might be a emission problem. I guess these early engines just run dirty, especially with no oil filter.

[3Dueces]

Is it running rich? Check plugs for excessive soot...

[JSeery]

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A new engine (rebuild) is going to have a lot of ware as parts seat in. Adding a filter would help keep the oil cleaner, but it should be fine the way it is. Also adding thermostats would get the engine up to operating temp quicker. It can also depend on driving conditions. A lot of starts and turn offs and driving short distances is going to increase crude in the oil. Running at a higher temperature for a longer period of time helps keep the crude out of the oil. If the rings are not seated you can get a lot of blow by. Cooler operating temperatures and short run times increases blow by.

[Talkwrench]

Seems to be the norm for modern oils, most certainly the 'thinner" oils for modern cars are like water and almost go black straight away, I think it has something to do with how they suspend particles or something like that.. Pfft, just give me good ol' 20 -50 mineral. Anyway you're doing fine keep on truckin'...

[lotsagas4u]

Have a rebuilt 97( Max) on it, the plugs are sooty/black also. Engine runs well, not sure how to adjust this carb.

[Talkwrench]

Mmm that's odd as Max will give you back a stock carb and it shouldn't be rich at all. what air filter , you haven't got one of those tiny 4" ones on..? your plugs are the correct heat range? Idle jets Ive found are close at just one turn out, but use a vacuum gauge to get it right. Todays fuel generally gives you a sooty black outer ring and the porcelain is quite clean looking [that's Aust] .

[paul2748]

Today's detergent oil pics up and holds in suspension by products of combustion. That is what you see. With no filter, more of it stays in the oil

[lotsagas4u]

Ngk plugs, and one of the original ford air cleaners that you clean/oil. Running no corn gas only.

[alanwoodieman]

definitely running richer than it should be. remove the air cleaner, install a larger, dry type air cleaner. maybe make up a temp air cleaner. one of the problems with the old ford air cleaners is clogging, even when you think it s OK

[lotsagas4u]

Alan, where can I find this larger, dry type, air cleaner? Do you have any pix? Thanks for all reply's.

[Frank Miller]

Oil, like people, should not be judged by the color. For $28 Blackstone labs in Indiana will analyze it for you. If you get a small tube with a vacuum pump you can get a sample through the dipstick with no need to change it. Running rich might be a separate issue but if it is not the analysis will tell you that too.

[lotsagas4u]

Frank, funny you should say that, my blackstone oil sample kit arrived in the mail yesterday, thanks

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by lotsagas4u

Frank, funny you should say that, my blackstone oil sample kit arrived in the mail yesterday, thanks

Let us know the result!

[G.M.]

Get the engine temperature below 190 and the oil won't
get black. When my engines ran over the 200 range the oil
got black in a few miles. Now running at 180 it uses hardly
any oil between changes and gets to a dark yellow.
20/50 Castrol. G.M.

[Ol' Ron]

I really don't think you have a problem. One good yink is the tempature the engine is running at. Flatheads should run at 180 Plus for best econmy and the oil pressure is great.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Get the engine temperature below 190 and the oil won't get black.

That seems like a step in the wrong direction!

[alanwoodieman]

I just made one from a tin can and a dry element that I had in the shop. used a piece of plywood for a top and bottom. we did this for a 36 ford to prove that the air cleaner was not flowing freely and was sucking more gas than needed thru the jets