Gypsy engine
Sounds as though the Gypsy engines being discussed here need overhauling.
I flew behind my 10/2 to Stockholm and back. In 26 hours it used 3 litres of oil. 30 litres of fuel ain't bad either??
It is a Vintec overhaul with all the mods.
My other vintage type is powered by a Gypsy 1 - this time a Rollason overhaul and without the ring mod so it does chuck a bit of oil out - probably a half-litre per hour even when being driven hard in display practise.
Whip the cowlings off at the end of every flyiing day and wipe the engine down - it will not be an 'oil soaked pig' or anything like.
Leave it and I am sure it will quickly become nasty.
A bit of pride in ownership pays dividends. Pulling cowlings off to reveal an oil-soaked pig does suggest that soething is lacking here (other than oil that is...).
It is quite gratifying to listen to the wows when I remove the cowlings at a fly-in. Keep it nice - thats all. Takes 5 minutes with a rag.
Great engine - huge contribution to our light aircraft industry. Don't forget that these motors date back to the 30's. View them in that context and be kind!