Troubleshooting engine smoke Opinions needed

[Kenny78]

1985 k5 350

I was cruising along at about 60 in third gear when the light changed to red. Of course I let off the throttle and brake to a stop. When I start to go, bluish white smoke pours out of the left bank exhaust and is running terrible. I immediately pull over, check vitals and shut down. Temp ws fine at 190, oil was at 50 when above idle. All fluids looked fine. Start it back up to get home. smoke pours out and runs horrible for 5 to 10 secs. Clears out and barely smokes until I let out gas, then instantly bad smoke(like smoke screen) Got home. Carb is known to need a rebuild, but I am having a hard time convincing myself that it could be fuel. Though I could not get a good smell for my cold.

Thanks for any help

 

[Kenny78]

I know that whiter smoke would indicate water. Which would mean intake or head gakets. But wouldnt the smoke get worse with throttle not better??

 

[toomany]

Blue smoke is usually oil. Could be valve seals, intake gaskets, rings or a cracked piston. How many miles are on the motor? Has it ever been rebuilt?

 

[Jason4x4]

check your PVC valve

 

[Kenny78]

Id about die if that was it. I will sure try it. Thanks

Engne is unknown mileage. Bought used without hearing it run. Tore bottom end down to inspect and bearings looked excellent. Ran super until this. I am going to: relpace PCV valve for good measure, run to check. Remove carb and put known working edelbrock on. Run to check. If problem still persists, then Ill start ripping open the top end.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Smoke screen smoke means water is passing through which means blown head gasket or cracked head.

 

[apache]

Keep in mind a head gasket or cracked head will typically cause steam which dissapates quickly,oil smoke will linger and smell more like exhaust fumes. If its a gasket issue you will loose water and or over pressurize your cooling system from the compression leaking into the coolant passages.

 

[Kenny78]

Got home, and rechecked oil. Water!! At least it got off the highway. I was afraid it was water but was trying to think positive

 

[dbabicky]

Now, lets just hope it's only a head or intake gasket.

 

[Kenny78]

Update. Pulled both heads. I undid the bolts with a 3/8 ratchet Blew gasket into #7. Took them into be fluxed/milled and the pass. side was cracked, not the one that threw the gasket!! I guess I got lucky. New Fel pro Prematorque Severe Duty head gaskets and chased all bolt holes. Fel pro intake gaskets. Cleaned and reused the spark plugs. Buttoned it all up and cranked it. Started fine, ran great for a minute, then started to puff white steam from drivers bank(true duals)

Let it warm up to operating temp. It didnt steam like the blown head gasket, but like heavy heavy condensation. Ran great but with maybe a slight miss. Shut it down and went inside to pout. Buddy was comin over and when he got here we decided to change to new pulgs so we could read em better. Fired up and no steam at all and no miss to boot
I read off google how they might smoke/steam for a little while after major service; does this sound right to everybody else? Drove it to dinner and it ran great. Oil looks great. So, what do you think?

TIA,
Kenny

 

[4X4HIGH]

Yes, water that was in the pipe can and usually will steam for a bit after everything is fixed. I'm assuming the shop fixed the cracked head or supplied you with a rebuilt non cracked head?

 

[Kenny78]

Sorry. Yes Tudors machine shop in Tulsa (who are great guys) sold me remanned heads. Turns out I ve been gettin ripped off at another shop. Thanks for your quick reply Scott. I really appreciate this site and especially your expertise

 

[Metrodps]

I really appreciate this site and especially your expertise

Well thats great don't lurk so much! Jump in with both feet the Lounge is a great place to make new friends and pee off old wankers....

Yea like we say the membership fee pays for it self many times over.