[TR] Mystery Smoke Update

[Alex]

Existing problem for refresher purposes are at the bottom of this email.

Here is what we have determined so far:
  1.. upon start up and revving of the engine a steady cloud out the back of
what appears to be a mixture of blue and white smoke...mist.
  2.. Spark plugs badly fouled with black soot. Carbs are running very rich.
  3.. warmed car to running temp - no bubbles in the neck of the radiator or
any surging when increasing rpm's.
  4.. ran a compression test...results... 3rd cylinder back from the front
(#4) had 75 lbs on first go. Putting a little oil in increased the pressure to
85 lbs. All other cylinders have 120 lbs. Note- adjusted the valves....intakes
were lose, exhaust were tight. Number 4 cylinder pressure dropped to 65 lbs
and with a little oil in the cylinder rose to 75 lbs.
  5.. Rough idling...looked at the points....set correctly....however did
notice a significant amount of rocking in the "moving contact breaker plate".
This was not normal movement but actual rocking where the point set would
actually move away from the cam. No idea if this is suppose to be this way.
  6.. Took the car for a 20 mile run and returned. During the run...all
evidence of the mosquito control effect was gone. Just a little blue smoke at
shifting or a more significant amount after idling for a few minutes and then
accelerating.
  7.. Car ran/idled a little better. Should note that the points were cleaned
with emery as there was some pitting.
  8.. After the 20 mile run a significant amount of condensation on the front
carb and 1/2 as much on the rear carb, but plenty of water droplets over the
intake and carb bodies.
Suspicions:
  1.. Bad rings in #4 cylinder.
  2.. Bad head gasket......not cracked near a water port, but possibly into
the push rod well that maybe causing the high pressure causing oil vapors and
drips from the engine vent tube and the valve cover cap. Also possibly causing
the lower compression in #4 cylinder.
  3.. Water condensation caused by extreme richness of the carbs which may be
causing the carbs to run cool.
  4.. no clue???????? :o)
Initial plans pending the lists feedback.....
  1.. pull the head and check the head gasket.
  2.. If the head gasket is good, drop the oil sump and release the push rod
to inspect replace rings.
Basic Questions:
  1.. according to the manual, the sump can be dropped without pulling the
engine?
  2.. any "watch out for's" in pulling the head?
  3.. any club technical bulletins to read before all the above and where
would they be?
As always.... wide open to suggestions.

Alex Manzo
59 TR3A