Classic/Antique Car Repair/64 dodge dart 270

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Expert: - 11/9/2008


Question
Hello Brad,
    How are you. I just purchased a 1964 Dodge Dart 270 4dr with a 225 slant 6. The person I purchased it from had old gas in it and mixed about 6 gallons of new gas with the old. The car now smokes after 5 mins of running. He said it did not do this when he ran it with the old gas, but is was low so he added new. I put lead substitute and sta-bil in it and let it run, but it still smokes. I did not rock the car up and down to mix it. I cant run the car because I am smoking out my neighbors. This is a car for my son and I to work on, so we are new at this any help will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Peter

Answer
Something is real squirrely here. Just adding new gas should not make the car smoke and adding lead addative should make on difference. It sounds like a complete change of fluids like gas and engine oil would be a place to start. Then take a compression test on the motor with a compression gage. They can be purchased at most auto stores or Sears and come with instruction. Buying the gage is less expensive than having the compression tested at the local garage. Let me know how you are coming along.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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