Smoke Screen

[Greg]

hello all:

I recently took delivery of a '72 Porsche 914 in MINT condition (55,000 miles). The engine was completed several years ago by the previous owner (a Porsche Mechanic), and only has about 4000 - 5000 miles on it. (Illness forced sale of car)... So, with that said:

Engine is a 77/103 - displacing about 2.5L.
It is running a 300 duration cam & dual 45mm Dellorto DRLA carbs.

I've noticed the engine to be smoking a bit - I realize that some modified motors like this are prone to smoking all the time in small amounts.

It generally occurs when returning to idle speed (1000rpm). Example: idling, blip throttle to about 2500rpm - let engine return to 1000rpm. Immediately after that, a plume of white smoke automagically appears from the exhaust. Also, at highway speed, in say 4th/5th gear, stepping on the gas moderately will create smoke - not huge amounts, only visible at night when a car is behind me with their headlights on.

i'm a bit concerned with this new developement. There are no rapping/ticking/knocking sounds - just a bit of a sharp pinging under heavy throttle, but I'm in the process of dialing in the carbs for proper mixture - I think the pinging is fuel starvation, judgeing from the snapping sound coming from the carbs - getting better with every 1/2 turn of the mixture screws.

Any information/guidance/warnings/comments would be GRATEFULLY appreciated - email me off digest if need be at "[email protected]".

Thanks again in advance,

Cheers,

Greg Fulcher
'72 Porsche 914
'73 VW Thing 1600cc
'98 New Beetle (for sale)

[greg]

Jack.. I'm running - if at all possible, 94 octane from Sunoco, otherwise, the best stuff whatever gas station is available has to offer. I'm going to test the compression tonight and see what I find - that would give a better clue as to what is causing this I think.. Thanks for your advice..

Cheers! Greg