fbekholden.com

Hey guys ,

I've just bought my ej holden 6 months ago (my dream car) it has an old 138 in it, but it's pretty worn and blows alot of smoke whilst idling , mainly out of the breather and rocket cover cap. Just wondering how to fix it ? And if it's possible.
I'm only 24 y/o don't really know too much about it. I've come for help

Cheers

Treaty

G'day Treaty,

Some of the smoke may disspear once you "run her back in". However, there is a pretty fair chance that the reason behind it is worn piston rings. To check for this, you can buy a compression gauge from places like SuperCheap auto for about $30. Armed with this and a spark plug socket you are ready for action .

You unscrew the spark plugs (one at a time), and fit the gauge in lieu of the plug. Disconnect the coil (to stop the engine firing) and crank the motor over with the starter. The gauge will then hold the pressure, telling you how much squeeze the piston can make. You are looking for nice, even readings. You then remove the gauge, and squirt some engine oil into the plug hole. This acts like fake piston rings. You then repeat the test - if the pressure rises a fair bit, you know the rings are crook. If the pressure stays low, it is more likely a valve issue. Repeat with the next cylinder. Do them one at a time so you don't muck up the leads.

Give it a go and report the results here for a free forum interpretation .

Cheers,
Harv

thanks harv, ill give it a crack and get back with the results
cheers

Went to my local mechanic .. He said straight away my rings a worn out
And that I need to get my engine reconditioned ...
Reckon it is worth doing or just get a new engine to drop in it ?

Welcome Treaty, sounds like it could be rings or valves. I'd try Harv's method which will diagnose which one it really is. Big difference in having a head rebuilt as opposed to the whole motor cost wise.

Inline PCV valve, bolted to vaccume fitting in side of inlet manifold and weld fitting high on rocker cover. This will help engine eat its own blow by. Rough but cheap and effective I think. This wont recondition the motor but should stop fumes from oil cap and breather.
Tony.

My grey was shagged and needed a rebuild. I was quoted ridiculous prices So I bought a VT SS as a donor car and upgraded to a V8!

nes138 wrote:My grey was shagged and needed a rebuild. I was quoted ridiculous prices So I bought a VT SS as a donor car and upgraded to a V8!

Sounds like the only sensible thing to do

Howdy Treaty, welcome aboard.

My two cents: It really depends on what you want out of the EJ. There is a number of options open for you. If you have the original purchase reciepts and the engine number matches, it would be worth far more as an investment with the original engine. If the engine is of unknown origin or not the orginal engine you may want to keep a grey or upgrade to a red or something else. If you are keen to keep the EJ stock and keep a grey, the engine recon guy's will most likely rebuild your block anyway if it's not too bad, which if it still runs sounds like it but you won't know this without the compression test. That would be my first step.

As Harv advised, you can post the results on the forum and get the low down. There is a great wealth of knowledge kicking around in this forum so might as well go in with as much info as you can.

Shurly someone has a can of Wyn's or STP doesn't it magically repair worn engines??????