Off with its head. Update.

For the benefit of all who read the earlier thread about my smoky B.

Thanks to all who offered advice, and I appreciate how difficult it is to help when you can't actually see the situation.

Despite the low compression readings, the good condition of the bores gave me doubts about faulty or worn rings. Something just wasn't right to me.

I was reluctant to pull the pistons because I didn't really want to disturb a good bottom end so I cleaned up the head and stuck it back on. I still had loads of smoke so I was no further forward.

There was no noticeable blowing out of the filler cap as you would get with worn rings, so I started looking elsewhere. The only reason for burning so much oil was the breathers but they weren't blocked but there was more oil about than I would have expected so I thought it may be sucking oil from the engine.

This turned out to be the case. There is a breather from the block which splits and runs a pipe to each end of the inlet manifold. I disconnected the breather and linked the two ports on the manifold to stop air leakage. I left the end of the breather from the block open.

Bingo!!! no more smoke and the engine runs pretty well. It just needs a good tune up but needless to say I'm well pleased. Just wish I'd thought about it before I pulled the head.

Glad to hear that you solved the mystery Owen.

On the hif carbs on my engine those hoses fit on bodies of carbs behind bridge ,foward of throttle plate.