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Originally Posted by Joe Vandatta
I have a 390 in a 66 Bird and my compression runs the same as yours (cold engine) runs fine on regular gas and uses very little oil at 110,000 miles. I went to a little hotter plug as I do a lot of local driving and the plugs stay clean.
I have the stock Ford 4100 carb which continues to do a good job. I recently installed the Pertronix ign. system and is doing well also.
As 4-5-6 says, I would take a good look at your ign. system and carb. --black smoke means too rich.
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Thanks Joe, your message gives me hope! Before I commit to an overhaul I did want to try a number of things and the list is now longer with your suggestions:
1) Consider the Pertronix system or at least a hotter plug.
2) Take it to the car wash and clean off the engine top and bottom and the tranny and find the source of all those darn leaks - its not good when the oil pan and the tranny pan are actually wet with their respective fluids.
3) Check the timing and mixture settings - it does run through the gas.
4) Need to put in a new steering column bushing and shift lever cause I have the 'hold the shift level to start' it problem.
Joe - is your engine original or rebuilt? Mine indicates 99K miles and I have no way of knowing but it could have turned over though the rest of the car shows only moderate wear and is all original - it just continues to amaze me how much survives after 40 years!
Jim
'65 T-Bird Convertible, Lt. Blue