If the engine was pumping oil before the rebuild you could have oil residue in the exhaust system that is burning off. I'm with Olzed, drive it while and let it break-in.

well that's an interesting thought beerman. i've not heard that one before, but it sounds plausible.

it was billowing quite badly before the rebuild.

I'm not an expert on Z cars but engines are engines (more or less).

I had a freshly rebuilt 1956 Cadillac engine that burned some oil at first. I was somewhat concerned (as you are) but all the compression tests checked out and there were no other symptoms or noises or anything else out of the normal range.

After driving it for 500 or so miles - serious driving like 100 mile trips, 80+ mph, rapid acceleration, etc. (no babying) - the oil smoke puffs diminished and finally stopped all together.

I believe the piston rings just needed to work their way into a comfort zone.

You could test beerman's very plausible theory by disconnecting the exhaust and run it on a lift and see what comes out the header pipe.

Drive it like you stole it and see what happens:)

i tested that theory once several years ago. ended up married.

how is bloomington fairing these days?

Edited October 4, 201311 yr by awconroy

i tested that theory once several years ago. ended up married.

how is bloomington fairing these days?

That's funny!

Things are happening in Btown as usual

for the record, pulling all of the plugs added 20+ to the compression readings across all cylinders.

now to sort out the results of the leak-down test.