Engine Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
Engine Question
Just got my vette running since last July. Fire up the rebuilt motor and brought it to the shop to have the pipes welded to the new headers. It has let than 20 miles on the motor. Went to pick it up and notice that the passenger side was smoking alot while idling. With the wife following me back home, she said that it just smoked very little. Is this normal due to it being a fresh motor and should stop when the rings seal? Tony
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
The engine was rebuilt in Dec. and I just got it running last week. I had comp roller tip rockers and a Crane hyd roller set installed. Used the engine breakin oil the builder sold me. Primed the the motor till I saw the oil coming out of the rockers. Had trouble starting it, so it was cranking alittle bit before I got it started.Looked at the gauge and had high oil pressure while I was trying to start it. When it fired up it was running between 1,500 to 2,000 rpm. for ten min maybe fifteen min. I read and the engine builder said that there was no breakin for the roller cam so I didn't do the 2,000 rmp for 20 mins. Took the vette for a drive around the block to make sure everything was working. Then drove down to the shop the following week for the pipes to be welded. Then home. Plan to take it out today. Tony
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
The smoke wasn't white. Maybe grayish? Just checked the oil from the dipstick and it looks like when I just put it in, clean. The parts internally are all new. Forged pistons, 10.50 to 1 , roller lifter and rockers etc. Stock motor with mild cam.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It's possible you have a small water leak. White smoke is indicative of water in the combustion chamber. Now it may not be something as bad as a head gasket or a crack int eh heads or block. If the head bolts weren't sealed properly, they will allow water to creep up the threads where it mixes with the oil that comes up to oil the rockers and valves.
The fix is simply pulling the head bolts, adding a good amount of thread sealant, and re-torquing them.
This may not be your problem, but white smoke is probably water.
For future reference, you still want to do the high RPM driving to properly seat the piston rings. You want a load on the engine, so traveling at speed, varying high RPMs, which builds cylinder pressure.
The fix is simply pulling the head bolts, adding a good amount of thread sealant, and re-torquing them.
This may not be your problem, but white smoke is probably water.
For future reference, you still want to do the high RPM driving to properly seat the piston rings. You want a load on the engine, so traveling at speed, varying high RPMs, which builds cylinder pressure.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Southern Md
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
The shop rebuilt the motor so I have their warranty. I going to take for a run and see what happens. Taking the wife along. The last time I went for a cruise with the wife was when I blew the motor. One year later, another cruise. So this is our maiden voyage together again. Crossing my fingers. She's caring the Bible LOL. Let you guys know how it went and if the smoke cleared up. Tony
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
Just got back! 
My update: In the beginning I could see the smoke blowing abouts at the back of the vette. Still crossing our fingers, as we pressed on the smoke was growing less. When we finally got to San Francisco, the smoke was GONE! So that's good news right? I'm still going to monitor it. Break it in and make sure everything is alright. One thing I have to say is that the Classic Chevy 5 TKO600 is GREAT! The rpm is down. I'm glad I when ahead and installed it. Now I can cruise 70-80mph
(didn't do it yet though) One question left, on the temp gauge, you have 100 and then a hash mark then the 210. What's the temp. at the hash mark? The vettes running inbetween 100 and the hash mark. I have to get the infra temp gauge to see that it's running at. New water pump and radiator. Thanks for the help. Tony
My update: In the beginning I could see the smoke blowing abouts at the back of the vette. Still crossing our fingers, as we pressed on the smoke was growing less. When we finally got to San Francisco, the smoke was GONE! So that's good news right? I'm still going to monitor it. Break it in and make sure everything is alright. One thing I have to say is that the Classic Chevy 5 TKO600 is GREAT! The rpm is down. I'm glad I when ahead and installed it. Now I can cruise 70-80mph (didn't do it yet though) One question left, on the temp gauge, you have 100 and then a hash mark then the 210. What's the temp. at the hash mark? The vettes running inbetween 100 and the hash mark. I have to get the infra temp gauge to see that it's running at. New water pump and radiator. Thanks for the help. Tony