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Spitfire Smoke Testing

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FlyingCat

FlyingCat

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Hi, everybody. I have a 1980 Spitfire (1500 Federal), not that it may matter for this question. Does anybody have suggestions on smoking testing one of these engines? Thanks!
 
poolboy

poolboy

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There should be something on YouTube, if the specific car doesn't matter.
 
TomMull

TomMull

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The late Tappet Brother Tom Magliozzi from NPR "Car Talk" devised a procedure using one of his favorite cigars. Sorry I couldn't find the episode on line.

Tom
 
Graham H

Graham H

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What is smoke testing? is it an American tongue in cheek thing? I have no idea what you are asking.

Graham
 
NutmegCT

NutmegCT

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Jim_Stevens

Jim_Stevens

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OP
FlyingCat

FlyingCat

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I found a couple of places online that used a cigar, one where the guy actively puffed on it, and another where they used a transfer pumb, and even one where the guy built an elaborate pump using a pickle jar. I got that part down. What I'm looking for is where to blow it in at on my car.
 
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FlyingCat

FlyingCat

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I've tried that, and it works to a degree, but some of those leaks can be really subtle, and as poorly as it's running now it's hard to tell it's running any better.
 
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FlyingCat

FlyingCat

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It's the same principle as testing a sewer line for leaks, or testing your attic for leaks. You fill it full of smoke and then go outside to see where that smoke is coming out. With a car, you blow the smoke in... somewhere... and then see if any of the gaskets or hoses are leaking. There are several videos online that show how it's done. This is probably the best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOhl4r0GSiE

What I'm wanting to figure out is where would be the best place to blow that smoke into my Spitfire's 1500 engine.
 
poolboy

poolboy

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When I had it done at a technical college..they stuck the smoke into the tail pipe...It takes awhile, but smoke will circulate into the engine thru which ever exhaust valves have openings.
 
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