4.5_sport

My wifes car 1977 450sel(euro) smokes badly when first accelerating from a stop. It starts idling very rough at idle, in gear also. Any input at this point would be welcomed.

Thanks, Jason

Jer

Valve stem seals might be shot. If the smoke is blue, that is engine oil.

4.5_sport

I was thinking along those lines as well, but it doesn't smoke under decelleration, though.

bamberger_1

You need to find out first whether the smoke is oil or just smoke from incomplete combustion. If the latter, then you need a good tune-up for this well aged engine. If its oil smoke then it can be various things, valve stem, piston rings, head gasket....