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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

The oil looks fine

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

"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.

 

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.

 

Your welcome. Glad it worked out.

 

Glad it wasn't anything serious.

 

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

 

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