Triumph Repair: Oil leak through the breather cap, triumph tr3, crankcase pressure

Question
QUESTION: I have noticed lately that my 1960 Triumph TR3 seems to be throwing oil out through the breather cap.  The car has always leaked oil but this is the first time that I've noticed so much oil coming out of the breather cap.  Any ideas?  Thanks for you time.
Steven Dickerson

ANSWER: Hi Steven,
You either have a stopped up crankcase breather system or you have excess crankcase pressure due to excessive blow-by your rings. You can test the rings as a possible source by running a "Dry" and a "Wet" compression test. If you are not familiar with the procedure let me know and I will go over it for you.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard thanks for getting back to me so quickly.  I have no idea what a "Dry and Wet" compression test is.  Would you enlighten me?   As an aside I have noticed that the car is burning a bit of oil now, no alot but I do notice that tell tale white smoke from the exhaust when it's cold and I accelerate.  Again let me thank you for your time as well as your resonse.
Steven Dickerson

Answer
You will need a compression gauge (not expensive & available at any auto parts store or Wall Mart)
Remove all the spark plugs and put the gauge in #1 plug hole and have someone spin the engine over at least 4 or 5 revolutions and be sure to hold the throttle open. This is called the "Dry" test. Then squirt about 4 or 5 squirts of engine oil in the plug hole (about a teaspoon full of oil)and run another compression test. This is called the "Wet" test. Write down each reading as you do them and do all the cylinders the same way.

You should see a "Dry" test of at least 135 to 160 PSI and on the "Wet" test it should be no more than 10% to 15% higher than the "Dry" test on that cylinder.

Low readings on the "Dry" & "Wet" test = a valve problem
Low readings on the "Dry" & very high on the "Wet" test = a ring problem
Normal reading on the "Dry" and very high on the "Wet" is also a ring problem.

The color of smoke out the tail pipe is an indication of a problem.
Blue smoke is oil burning
White smoke is coolant or (brake fluid burning on cars with a vacuum booster)
Black smoke is an excess of fuel burning

A good "Dry & Wet" compression test but blue smoke out the tail pipe and excess use of oil is an indication of a stopped up crankcase vent system.

Blue smoke on first start up but then little to none after is an indicator of excessive valve stem to guide clearance.
First signs of a ring problem is a puff of blue smoke as viewed from behind when the car is accelerated hard and speed shifted.

All of this are indicators used to decide what a mechanic should do to correct an engine. Secondary conformation on bad rings is signs of excessive engine oil leaks at gaskets and seals, blackened oil soon after an oil change.

The "Dry & Wet" compression test is a 90+% indicator and all the other is the rest of 100% of a ring problem.

Howard