Copper in oil?

Pandersen33

Pandersen33

Member
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
 
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?
 
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?
 
Probably the best way to find out what's in the oil is to get it analyzed rather than wild guessing.
 
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.
 
AS far as I know, copper bearings were used ih heavy duty truck engines. But may have been installed during a rebuild.
 
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...cd=&cr=&f=&uref=&p=engine bearing compisition
 
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.
 

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