Re: KPack's 1954 Panama

Posted by Ken_P On 2021/5/12 7:55:40

On the smoking - if you're not using any oil, and the engine is running smooth, pulling strong, and not overheating, I would just run it!

If it is carbon, running a qt of diesel in the fuel can help clean it out, or you can pour a dribble of sea foam or a little water down the throat of the carb with the engine warm and idling. If the valve train and head gasket are good, it should clean out with regular driving and getting the vehicle up to temp.

I don't know if you remember the pictures of my car - I had overly high compression, pinging under load when hot, and some running warm issues - the root cause of my excessive carbon buildup was incorrect exhaust valves. If your carbon isn't as bad, you shouldn't have to pull the head.

Congrats on getting it running! I think the traffic light problem is a common one. I have to do the same thing in my '37 (I'm 6'4"), and they used to sell an accessory that clipped to your sun visor to make it easier to see traffic lights without bending over.