I took the plugs out again('65 170) Some still had the dry soot but some had oil. Do I need to replace the spark plug tubes?

Orionsax7@cs.com

I wouldn't replace the tubes unless they are mangled around the spark plug insertion hole, thereby preventing a good tube-to-head seal. If the tubes are leaking around the gaskets, get new gaskets or o-rings at the local parts place. Leakage past the "external" tube gaskets would not cause plug fouling, even if oil is pooled up in the tube (which can be caused by a very leaky valve cover gasket too).

How's the car running at idle, does it miss on one or two cylinders? Have you done a compression check?

If you've made all the proper carburetor & ignition system checks/adjustments and the plugs still foul, try checking compression. Varying compression on one or two cylinders could reveal burned or recessed exhaust valves. A "wet" compression check would likely confirm it.

Oil fouling could be an unrelated problem caused by leaky valve stem seals on a 30 years "young" head that's never been serviced.

I had both problems with my 64 Valiant and they went away after I had the head rebuilt.

cole020@yahoo.com

I changed the valve cover gasket a few weeks ago so it's fine. I also changed the tube gaskets. There is no external collection of oil in or around the tube. The oil is on the inside of the spark plug where the actual spark forms(the gap). 4 of the 6 had soot formed and the other two were wet with oil.

I have not checked compression.

The car idles jumpy after I leave it sitting for a few hours(over night). Once I rev it a bit, it clears up and idles fine. I think the plugs have oil then as the car is on for a bit, it clears up. Does that sound logical? Anyway how would oil get to the spark plug gap? Thanks.

Alex

Orionsax7@cs.com

Here are some thoughts,....with the valve cover off, take a look through the valve springs, you will see the shiny valve stem and the casted-in "tower" of the valve guide. You should also see a small round "stem seal", it is a rubber "dough-nut" around the stem and sitting right on top of the guide.

Are the seals all there? Any cracks? poke through the spring with a wire and see if these seals are soft and "rubbery".
Basicly I have set you up for dissapointment. You will most likly find that all of the valve stem seals are "rock-hard" and I would guess that the ones over your oily cylinders have broken-up and are ineffective or missing, letting oil leak down into the chamber and fouls the plug.

There are some options on easy ways to replace these but check their condition and your compression first.
DD