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is my motor cooked

what else should be done? should probably say this is in a 1 ton box van.
 
I bet you cracked the head at the exhaust valve and coolant is leaking into the exhaust manifold, turning to steam - thus white smoke.
Dump the friend who borrow your truck, he is a loser and is draging you down too. He is down on his luck because he is too stupid to do things right.
 
Sorry if I hijack this thread somewhat, but I'll be tackling this job on my '91 GMC Jimmy pretty soon also. I've got white smoke coming out of the exhaust and the coolant definitely is disappearing, though I do not see any leaks. I've also got oil on the spark plug for one of my cylinders (passenger-side, closest to the front of the engine) and an apparent oil leak from the head gasket in the same spot.

The truck has ~151k miles on the original engine and my plans are to pull the heads and have them rebuilt/refreshed. I intend on turning this truck into a mild off-road vehicle (camping trips, fishing trips, etc), so I don't want to change it too much from stock. I'd like to put probably 33 inch tires and no more than a 4 inch lift on the truck.

Here are my relevant questions for this thread:

What are some reasonable upgrades to consider while the heads are off? Slightly more aggressive cams, intake manifold (like the Edelbrock 3704), headers, etc? I need to make a list and then research the heck out of it :D.

Thanks in advance!
 
True, I anticipate the possibility of more work...but I have to start somewhere and it's just on one plug...I have a brother with a K5 who could benefit from refreshed heads if the head work does not resolve the issue with my truck...at which point I may drop in a crate.
 
To Robert D. - When you have the heads reworked have the valve guides replaced ( most shops just knerl the guide - which lasts about 10,000miles ) have them machine the valve stems to use Ford valve seals & umbrallas ( superior valve sealing than GM for long term oil control ). I would also use Comp or Crane Cams 1.5 or 1.6 rocker arms with your mild cam. Remember, you can't go too crazy with a TBI. Call the cam people's tech line to factor in all the changes you want and reccomend a cam. They really know their stuff.
Check your throttle body shaft for wear. If it does not wobbel or leak air replace the injectors ( about $90 each ).
 
Haveing a blown head gasket does NOT mean his friend caused this. The question should be asked why did the truck overheat to begin with? Could it of had a blown head gasket to begin with? ummmm..... maybe people are so quick to try to blame other people for their problems they don't stop to think.
 
Thank you for the insight Mike D. Do you have any experience with the Edelbrock 3704 intake manifold that is meant to be a direct replacement for the OEM TBI manifold? I believe LMC used to list it in their catalog and I'd read there that the Edelbrock unit 'can' improve gas mileage. I wonder, however, if it has improved gas mileage simply for the fact that it is a new unit and not necessarily due to some improved design.

Thanks again!
 
I do not have experience with the 3704 Eldebrock manofold, however they make excellant products. In my 81 truck I am using a duel plane Edlebrock carb manifold with an adaptor plate to run a TBI system. This was converted last December 2007 from a quadrajet carb. I was too cheap to spring for that manifold since the intake worked so good ( compared to the poor quality, unequal cylinder filling factory intake manifold - a true piece of c_ _ p. ).
I am positive the 3704 gives uniform, equal, air/fuel cylinder filling. That translates to more power, improved combustion, and optimum MPG.
 
a friend has a 3704 said when he was all done there was a pretty good difference in power and response. just got mine to, let you know how it goes
 
Thanks for the info guys. I've been a member of this forum for a while now (since I've owned my Jimmy) and I've definitely learned a lot from the CK5 members...Though I let my membership lapse for almost a year since I purchased the Audi, as I've basically parked the truck and have not had time to think about it. Now that my first year out of college is over and I've solidified my stock in my company somewhat, I am back for good. :D Ya'll have a good night.
 
84CUCV said:
what else should be done? should probably say this is in a 1 ton box van.
Click to expand...

That changes everything.
As said it sounds like a head gasket let go. Vans are a PITA to do engine work on.
Removing the passenger seat makes it a lot easier.
Almost all of the work will be done from inside so plan on nasty azz parts and stuff.
I just did this not long ago. Along with replacing the belt and water pump I also replaced the timing chain since the engine had over 150K and I was right there anyway.
It may look like a lot of stuff under there but it isn't really. All the wiring & vacumme lines pretty much lay right back to where they were.
This is a job where a camera and knowing how to use it is handy.

I can do that job in about 8 hrs, for an inexperienced guy I would plan on 20 or so. Better take pix
 
Forgot to mention to pull the plugs and see which one is coolant fouled. That will let ya know which head let go. But do one do em both.
 
WinslowS said:
Oil on your spark plugs could mean the problem is more than the heads, just so you know.
Click to expand...

i agree i always had a problem with my #8 fouling. it would get a week on a new plug and then be nasty. pulled the heads after my gaskets started leaking, and found my intake valve seal was leaking. so thats always a possibility. also your rings could be letting oil bypass.
 
84CUCV said:
if oil was bypassing my motor would need a rebuild?
Click to expand...

depends on how bad. if its by passing your rings than i belive if the cylinder walls aint tore up you could get away with just new ring. if its a valve seal than just a head job. thats just my thoughts there are a lot more smarter cookies than me on this site.
 
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