Copper in oil?
 

I changed the oil on my 35 with what I believe to be the original motor. Just a tad bit of gray sludge on the cap which seems like good news but when inspecting the catch pan there are several clumps of what look like copper-ish material. Engine seems to run fine even with lower compression in a couple of cylinders. Are these deposits somewhat normal? It is my second oil change after having the car for about a year. Again i know the engine is tired but is this a real bad sign? Thanks

Re: Copper in oil?
 

My guess and only a guess is the bearings are coming apart.
I can't think of anywhere else copper would be coming from.
Engine experts? What say you?

Re: Copper in oil?
 

How sure are you it is copper? From the post sounds like it could just be copper colored stuff. Is it metal filings, or just sludge?

Re: Copper in oil?
 

Probably the best way to find out what's in the oil is to get it analyzed rather than wild guessing.

Re: Copper in oil?
 

Uh duh. Why didn't I think of that? Good advice sir, good advice.

Re: Copper in oil?
 

Blackstone labs in Indiana sends you a whole kit. Just drop it off at the post office.

Re: Copper in oil?
 

I did the Blackstone Labs thing a couple of years ago. It was quick and easy, and if I remember correctly, it cost $25. I got the kit at my local NAPA.

Re: Copper in oil?
 

AS far as I know, copper bearings were used ih heavy duty truck engines. But may have been installed during a rebuild.

Re: Copper in oil?
 

copper isn't magnetic, does the copper colored sludge stick to a magnet?

Re: Copper in oil?
 

Now we're getting somewhere...

Re: Copper in oil?
 

If it's "clumps", could it be from the mesh in the oil breather cap that disintegrated into the pan?

Re: Copper in oil?
 

I was a fleet mechanic for Speedway police etc in the early 80s and we used Kendal oil. Every oil change was sampled and put in a small tube to be analyzed. I had a book with a test sheet for every vehicle.
Couldnt believe the dollars we saved. All bearings have copper in them . Our reports would include copper-bearings,water/antifreeze-leaks, chrome-piston rings, cast-camshafts etc...fuel in the oil . Saved us a ton , even sent a new ford back for warranty repairs based on two samples high in cast iron , had camshaft lobes coming apart at 10,000 miles ........

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?...%20compisition

Re: Copper in oil?
 

Im 90 percent sure this is copper. Unfortunately i did t spot it oluntil i dumped the pan into a larger jug of other used oils.

Re: Copper in oil?
 

Should be more of it in the oil shortly! Plus I'd be fairly sure the block was not cleaned out that well with just a normal oil change.

Re: Copper in oil?
 

Could it be rust ? If you need to remove the oil pan , check the 4 core plugs on the pan rail .

Re: Copper in oil?
 

If that is all copper, you've got a major problem.