Alotta smoke

[PhredzK512]

My '87 K5 sure is billowing out the white'ish smoke from the exhaust...I need a remedy and quickly. Does this mean I'm going to face the inevidable? Meaning a engine overhaul,rebuild or a totally new motor? My SM465 is holding up pretty good but I'm getting concerned with all this steady flow of the white smoke.

 

[Fordum]

You really need to shut it down NOW.
First, check the oil to see if its overfull and/or milky.

True white smoke, especially if its sweet smelling, is antifreeze. Probably from a head gasket if you are lucky.
Small amounts getting into the cylinder is survivable. Probably no damage if you don't drive it much and get the gaskets fixed.

But, if its getting into the oil, then you can ruin bearings fast.

Bluish white smoke is oil burning, and will smell like.....Well burning oil.
In that case, it is even more important to check the oil.
If its a carb engine, don't remember right off the top of my head when they switched to fuel injected, then you could have gas getting pumped into your engine.

If so, then the oil will smell like gas. This will ruin bearings quickly.

If its FI, or the oil is low instead of high or smelling like gas, then you are quite possibly looking at a rebuild.

But, there are other tests to be made first.

 

[K5dreamer]

annnnnnd initial bases have been covered. time for icecream.

 

[PhredzK512]

You really need to shut it down NOW.
First, check the oil to see if its overfull and/or milky.

True white smoke, especially if its sweet smelling, is antifreeze. Probably from a head gasket if you are lucky.
Small amounts getting into the cylinder is survivable. Probably no damage if you don't drive it much and get the gaskets fixed.

But, if its getting into the oil, then you can ruin bearings fast.

Bluish white smoke is oil burning, and will smell like.....Well burning oil.
In that case, it is even more important to check the oil.
If its a carb engine, don't remember right off the top of my head when they switched to fuel injected, then you could have gas getting pumped into your engine.

If so, then the oil will smell like gas. This will ruin bearings quickly.

If its FI, or the oil is low instead of high or smelling like gas, then you are quite possibly looking at a rebuild.

But, there are other tests to be made first.

It does smell sweet,..so now that I have that much figured out,now I'll have to have the heads gaskets "re-gasketed",.. and hopefully there isn't any damage or too much damage done. It is starting to run abit sluggish and the service engine soon light comes on than it shuts off,...

 

[PhredzK512]

Well,..i'm pretty sure my 305 has seen it's last leg,..it literally started rattling when i would shift into 3rd & 4th gears,(valves?) i made to where i needed to go and back,..and i'm just glad i made it home. It didnt smoke this time around,..but i think it done had it's last smoke too., but now what? Is my motor fixable? It boiled up pretty good too when i parked it,...i just let park and boil on. Ever since i've had running for this past year,i've been just maintaining it with regular oil changes and even a new radiator,water pump,hoses,starter & brakes. So i have some $$$ invested in it. I still have plenty of plans for it too. What is a good suggestion for now,..anybody? Thanks.

 

[snowdriver]

sounds like a good time for a crate motor

 

[PhredzK512]

sounds like a good time for a crate motor

I've definitely been looking,..and I think this is the only way I'm going to be satisfied. Now I just need someone reputable enough to pull this old one out and put a brand new one in,...and with abit of a guarantee that they'll put it in right. I've been checking S & J Engines in Spokane,WA and they seem to do people right.

 

[natemc]

Call Southworth engine in Eugene. That's who does my stuff and they are pretty reasonable on price. My wife's Yukon has a short block from them and they have done quite a few 22r heads for me. They might even deliver to you. You pull the engine out and they'll take the core when they drop off the reman. I know they deliver to a few shops east o the cascades. Just call them and ask for a shop suggestion if you need to go that route.

 

[PhredzK512]

Call Southworth engine in Eugene. That's who does my stuff and they are pretty reasonable on price. My wife's Yukon has a short block from them and they have done quite a few 22r heads for me. They might even deliver to you. You pull the engine out and they'll take the core when they drop off the reman. I know they deliver to a few shops east o the cascades. Just call them and ask for a shop suggestion if you need to go that route.

Thanks natemc,.. I will check them out.

 

[PhredzK512]

Well,...decided to go with a excellent running '88 350 for $600. So my K5 took it's last ride with the 305 and it definitely was smelly and boiling after the 15mi. drive to my buddy's shop. Stoked!!!

 

[natemc]

Cool beans! Stepping up in the ponies.