my71olds

Hello:

We have a 71 olds 350 in which the heads were machined. The block is still original. My son installed the heads with new gaskets and new intake gasket. Yesterday he got it running but we have white smoke coming out the exhaust. The oil level is fine and after taking for a short ride the coolant level is also fine. Does it take some running of the engine since the heads were machined before the white smoke goes away? Anything he should look for?

Thanks

pogo69

i myself would just keep an eye on the oil/coolant levels and take it for good drive with moderate speed and recheck it after a 100 miles or so ...it could be some steam also

chip-powell

Have you checked your oil dipstick for bubbles yet? If you see any, there's a leak in your head gasket and the oil and anti-freeze are mixing.

oldcutlass

If the intake gasket looks to be installed correctly and all the fluid levels are where they are supposed to be and not contaminated, then it's probably junk that got into the exhaust system and will take a good ride to burn off.

my71olds

The oil looks fine

brown7373

How about a leaking vacuum modulator on the transmission, sucking fluid into the carb?

my71olds

I looked this up and it said the car would not shift properly and it seem to be okay in shifting. Should we check the trans fluid?

pogo69

after your rebuild check all you fluids constantly untill your comfortable with the look and levels...you need to get the tranny to operating temp to get a good reading

RandyS

You mention that the heads were 'machined'. Can you give a bit more detail on what was done to them? Often when you have white smoke it is due to oil seal(s) leaking.

my71olds

The oil seals were replaced. I will get back with more info

Oldsmaniac

If exhaust manifolds with pipes attached were left connected and the manifolds were unbolted from the heads, typically coolant will gush out when heads are pulled and end up in the exhaust system. On startup with everything attached loads of white smoke will begin to form when the exhaust heats up. After a short 5-10 minutes it should lessen and stop. Had this happen a few times.

my71olds

This is exactly how we had it and it has done it a few times. Will this eventually go away?

Oldsmaniac

If this was the cause of the white smoke it should go away shortly...say in about 30 minutes of running. If it continues there is another problem.

oldcutlass

Sometimes it takes a 20 minute drive as it won't burn off at idle.

my71olds

It was a complete value job with new seals and valve stems. Any parts needed were replaced. valve seats, stems and guide inserts

oldsonharmont

"Yesterday he got it running but we have white smoke coming out the exhaust... Anything he should look for?"

Yes, it could be a sign that a new pope has been elected.

my71olds

Thanks for all your input on this it looks like the issue has cleared up. We did find that a trans line connected underneath had come off but it did not seem to be the issue. The car was driven around for at least 20 minutes or more and the white smoke has gone away.

oldcutlass

Your welcome. Glad it worked out.

RandyS

Glad it wasn't anything serious.

65cutlassnorth

Made me bust a gut when i seen this the other day....your quick oldson.

oldsonharmont

The title of the thread struck me as funny, glad you enjoyed it too.