Lucky Kid

I bought an 86 with a blown head gasket(iron heads). I had the heads milled and got a valve job done, and checked for cracks.

I reassembled following all the instructions online. I had a little trouble with the distributor timing until it would start, but it eventually started and ran. Once running I had huge amounts of white smoke coming from the header and the tail pipe. I was hoping it was just smoke burning off but it kept going. After about a minute I killed it as it was very excessive at that point filling the garage to a point where I couldent see.

I am assuming this means I blew the gasket again or have a leak. There are no leaks on the exterior of the motor and I pulled the plugs and didn't see any coolent. I turned it over a few times to see if I'd have any coming out, but nada.

The oil pressure is also good.

How can I check to see if its blown again without taking it apart? I am REALLY hoping the smoke is from the previous blown gasket and just coolant/oil in the exhaust.

I really need help before I lose my mind!!!

Thank you in advance!
Lucky Kid, Roy

Lucky Kid

Just did a compression check,

1: 135
2: 135
3: 145
4: 150
5: 150
6: 160
7: 155
8: 150

Still nothing coming out of the plug holes.

Filled the radiator up a little more and everything is still dry.

I just put 5 fresh quarts of oil in, but I think I will empty it unless someone has some other suggestions.

Lucky Kid

Never checked...I was told its rare they are warped by a couple people and just crossed my fingers. I tried to find a machinests straight edge but couldn't find one in the stores.

I do have good compression which I don't think would be possible if there was a cylnder-coolant leak... Please correct me if I'm wrong!

Lucky Kid

Thats no good, mine were warped 10mil and 6mil...

Will i risk hydrolock by running it some more? I'd like to see if I can get any residual coolant out of the exhaust, if there is any.

Any other troubleshooting steps to check for coolant?

Thanks,
Lucky Kid

CorvetteMike2024

Put a stant pressure gauge on the raidiator and pump up to 12 lbs. See how long it holds pressure.

Good Luck

Mike

kh400

Before you panic and take it apart again, just let it run. It takes a long time to burn off whatever is in the exhaust system. Chances are it's just what is left in there from previous problem. Take it for a long drive and it will probably stop smoking.

Lucky Kid

I checked the oil through the dipstick and it looked great.

I might have to bite the bullet and get a leakdown tester.

I am going to try to start it again and give it a go...

powerpigz-51

I agree....if there was a previous breech of the old gasket, you could have a lot of coolant in the muffs and cat. There is some kind of chemical test that looks for exhaust gas in the coolant. I would run it awhile and keep a good eye on what your oil looks like.....maybe run a few minutes at a time. The pressure test is a good idea, If you don't have a leak anywhere else. You could pull the plugs and crank it to see if you have water in the cylinders, if you are worried about hydrolock.

JackDidley

If the exhaoust got a lot of coolant in it, may take 1/2 hour to burn it out.

Lucky Kid

Thanks guys! I ran it for about 5-10 more minutes and it cleared up. Now, the exhaust is nice and clean!


Now I just have to figure out what is drawing current when the car is off, replace the stater cable, replace the battery and it should be driveable!

We'll see if the trans works

I really appreciate the help!!!

JackDidley

Thats good news. Good luck on the test drive.