Smoke from valve cover? Gurgling Noise?

[BugeyeNJ58]

Just took first good drive in my 58 1275 bugeye. Rebuilt engine/head last year, put it into storage, took it out last week. Adjusted carbs, running smoothly.

After about 3 - 4 miles some smoke started to comeout of shift tunnel (no shift boot on car yet)...ok...could be some burning oil leaking. Got home and took oil cap off of valve cover seems to be a light smoke, almost clear coming from top of engine. Is this normal? Engines runs at 45-50 PSI at 50 mph, plenty of oil as per dipstick and gauge. Also when I shut engine off and opened hood, could hear what sounded like a gurgling sound from either the engine or radiator. Oil looks good, no mayonnaise look.

Ideas? Need step is to retorque the head and reset valves. But today was fun....tks..

 

[JPSmit]

might just be condensation

 

[mightymidget]

sounds like the motor is is just burning off paint fluids etc....Gurling was probaly air bumbles in the water system.
Assuming from the post this is first time driven since rebuild

 

[BugeyeNJ58]

It is the first time, other than short five minute warmups. Hopefully that's it. The gurgling did sound like cavitation. Maybe I'll drain/flush the radiator. Is there anyway to make sure that water is filled the water jacket of the engine?

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Did you check the oil level?

Pull the dipstick, check, and before you put it in, hold your Zippo under the oil, see if it burns.
A fuel pump dumping gas or really bad fuel overflow in carbs, or just long, extended warmups can dilute the oil and do all sorts of weird things.

Look for higher than normal oil level.....

Just to be safe, and checking now could prevent expensive damage.

Dave