Oil consumption in the Durabuilt 140

[H body Al]

Hi,
I have a 1976 Astre Notch. I have tuned and tinkered in a minor way and the car runs out great. I get 34 mpg on the highway @ 65-70 mph. My problem is oil consumption. There is some minor leakage and a noticeable, but not excessive amount of smoke coming out of the tail pipe. A guy at Autozone suggested using Lucas oil additives @ every oil change. Is this good idea? Or do you fine fellows have a better suggestion?
Thanks in advance for any ideas, Al.

[hammerdown7]

How much oil are you using?

Dick

[H body Al]

Hello, and thanks for the reply. I had to add at least a quart when driving 1000 miles at highway speed. It seems to use less at lower speeds. I appreciate your input.

[cosvega76]

Al,

The Durabuilt engines were known for valve stem seal issues. I don't know if there are modern materials used in replacement seals that will help (viton, maybe?), but, unfortunately, the cam has to come out to replace them.

Chuck

[H body Al]

Thanks Chuck, but I don't think I want to go that far at this time. Cam removal is a bit beyond what I usually do.

[hammerdown7]

I would agree with Chuck, sounds like the stem seals. If the block was scored your consumption would be greater.

Dick

[H body Al]

Thanks Dick,
I think it will be fine for now and for local, lower speed driving. I do have an extra 140 engine I pulled out of a 76 Vega, but it has over 100K miles. and as I recall was a bit of an oil consumer as well. Sure ran good though. I guess as long as you keep oil in them they will just keep going.
Also, no one expressed an opinion about using the Lucas Oil Additive to reduce oil consumption. I have never used any of this stuff, and don't want to clog up my engine. Is it worth using Lucas or anther product, or should I just go to a cheaper oil. Valvoline is a bit expensive.
Thanks, Al.

[kgroombr]

I add a bit of Lucas oil to my fuel, but not for oil consumption. I am hoping that little bit of lube in the fuel will keep my fuel pump from failing. I went through two pumps in about six months, but after adding a squirt of Lucas oil, I have gotten over a year now. Still way to short of a period of time to really tell if it helps, but it makes me feel better.

Ken

[HI WINDING MONZA]

I used to use the old STP Oil Treatment to slow the oil consumption in most of my old stuff back in the day , or just changing to a thicker oil helps also.

I never run pure syn oils , they burn off some when the engine is cold.

I use Max Life in all my stuff ( blended) with a Purlolator Pure One or Fram Tough Guard oil filters.

Doug in P.R.

[H body Al]

Thanks. Sad to hear you are out of the H-body world. But thanks for the tip. I switched to max life blend recently. But I have not driven the 76 since the oil change. It is still up on jack stands, but it is running great and clearly "wants" the road.
Best of luck, Al.

[monzabug350]

How many miles are on the engine? Seals do get brittle after a while. I had the same problem with the 01 Cavalier z24 (30k on the odo) and not wanting to get too involved I tried an additive called Marvel Mystery Oil. This stuff has been around for a long time and its fairly cheep.About 3to 4 bucks at a parts store. I did find it a lot cheeper at Dollar General 1 to 2 bucks and figured why not try it.I did and after two oil changes I checked down the oil port and the engine looked new. Also added it to the gas and I have seen about a 5 to 7 mile increase in mpg without the a/c on and you only have to add about an oz to the gas or oil Might want to give it a try.Its a lot cheeeeeper than Lucas or the other brands out there.

[H body Al]

Thanks Monzabug,
I have 70,000 miles on my 1976 engine. I may try the Mystery oil. And you have A/C I am envious...