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-   -   Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=645779)

AirSpeed 10-08-2014 01:41 PM

Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Drove my truck this morning and noticed clouds of white "smoke" coming out the drivers side exhaust, got an occasional whiff of antifreeze and my radiator was low on coolant. I'm assuming I have a bad head gasket, any way to verify?

Sklptrljay 10-08-2014 02:09 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Sorry to hear that, always a bummer when something like this happens. One simple thing to do is hold your hand at the exhaust tip and see if it smells like antifreeze or oil.
You can do a compression test on the coolant system. My mechanic showed me a compression test with a clear tube attached to the coolant system and it changed color if any air/exhaust bubbles got into the coolant.

AirSpeed 10-08-2014 02:14 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Just checked my oil and it looks a little milky, more like brown. I did smell antifreeze while it was running.

Sklptrljay 10-08-2014 02:22 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Yeah, doesn't sound good. Sorry bud.

AirSpeed 10-08-2014 02:46 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay (Post 6871806)
Yeah, doesn't sound good. Sorry bud.

Thanks, I'll get it going again!

imjeff 10-08-2014 02:47 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Hate to say it, but the last time I replaced a head gasket for the exact problem you're having, it didn't fix the crack that was causing it. Tear the head off and carefully examine the gasket. If no issues the have the head checked. No sense doing much more testing. It's not only walking like a duck, it's quacking as well. Off with its head!

Jeff

AirSpeed 10-08-2014 03:05 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Yea, I'm thinking new engine, there's so much water in the oil and I had to drive it about ten miles to get home, i didn't hear any bad noise but I'm sure I started the process of ruining the bearings. Thinking back it's been stumbling in the mornings, I had to rev it a little to get it to smooth out so its probably been leaking coolant in the cylinder and oil for some time.
Anyone have a good recommendation for new 350s for a 72 Gmc?

'68OrangeSunshine 10-08-2014 03:11 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by AirSpeed (Post 6871865)
Yea, I'm thinking new engine, there's so much water in the oil and I had to drive it about ten miles to get home, i didn't hear any bad noise but I'm sure I started the process of ruining the bearings. Thinking back it's been stumbling in the mornings, I had to rev it a little to get it to smooth out so its probably been leaking coolant in the cylinder and oil for some time.
Anyone have a good recommendation for new 350s for a 72 Gmc?

Check your local GMC or Chevy dealer for a GM Goodwrench 350. They are not too expensive [$1500 ~] and come with a warranty [something like] 3 years or 50000 miles.

sgt1022 10-08-2014 03:27 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
I just bought a 290 hp GM performance long block from Jegs for about $2000. Runs great.

AirSpeed 10-08-2014 04:21 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sgt1022 (Post 6871904)
I just bought a 290 hp GM performance long block from Jegs for about $2000. Runs great.

Did they deliver to your house? How did you unload it, forklift, hoist?

Xeen 10-08-2014 06:55 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sgt1022 (Post 6871904)
I just bought a 290 hp GM performance long block from Jegs for about $2000. Runs great.

That's a great motor, plenty of power to tow a load or pass people with. :metal:

mechanicalman 10-08-2014 07:45 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by AirSpeed (Post 6871766)
Drove my truck this morning and noticed clouds of white "smoke" coming out the drivers side exhaust, got an occasional whiff of antifreeze and my radiator was low on coolant. I'm assuming I have a bad head gasket, any way to verify?

As a retired mechanic, I'd rebuild it, especially if it's matching numbers to the truck. As far as hiring someone else to do it, I'd have to have rock solid references.

Or this

http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Perf...52506/10002/-1

Or this if you need a new balancer, intake, HEI. Comes with gaskets.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...d=#moreDetails

If you want more power, put an RV cam in it before you install it. I'd go smaller than the cam in the 350-290HP, IMO, .222int-.222ex duration @ .050" is too much for 8:1 compression and shorts you on torque.

I'd get something around .210-.220 duration @ .050" and 112 degree lobe centers and less than .450 lift, ought to be good for around 275HP and 350 ft/lbs of torque.

imjeff 10-08-2014 07:52 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mechanicalman (Post 6872161)
as a retired mechanic, i'd rebuild it, especially if it's matching numbers to the truck. As far as hiring someone else to do it, i'd have to have rock solid references.

Or this

http://www.jegs.com/p/chevrolet-perf...52506/10002/-1

or this if you need a new balancer, intake, hei. Comes with gaskets.

http://www.jegs.com/i/chevrolet-perf...d=#moredetails

if you want more power, put an rv cam in it before you install it. I'd go smaller than the cam in the 350-290hp, imo, .222int-.222ex duration @ .050" is too much for 8:1 compression and shorts you on torque.

I'd get something around .210-.220 duration @ .050" and 112 degree lobe centers and less than .450 lift, ought to be good for around 275hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque.

x2!

sgt1022 10-08-2014 08:12 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
No I had it delivered to my mechanic's shop. They would've delivered to my house though. The 290 hp is lower on torque (325 ft lbs)than the 260 hp version (350 ft lbs). But I wasn't changing the cam or anything. I made up some torque with my intake and exhaust.

jeffahart 10-08-2014 08:15 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Hey what's the warranty stipulations on those Jegs Goodwrench 350s. I heard you had to have them installed by certified mechanic to validate warranty.

sgt1022 10-08-2014 08:23 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
I had mine installed by a mechanic cause I didn't have the time after working two jobs. The warrant was 3 yrs/100,000 mi.

jeffahart 10-08-2014 08:31 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
I just answered my own question above: here's what's on Jegs site. Plus I just called and spoke with them. Basically your on your own to fight any warranty issues with no leg to stand on if I install myself. Guess they look for any reason not to honor warranty. Which is not a GM thing just a regular Corporate America thing.


Warranty coverage is based on months/mileage, whichever comes first, and begins on the date of
installation
by an authorized GM dealer or by a qualified Independent Service Center (ISC). For all other over-the-counter
sales, warranty begins on date of retail sale.


PS, sorry if I got off topic. But seems like you may be going this route if you get the news we all think when you pull heads.

AirSpeed 10-08-2014 09:45 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffahart (Post 6872234)
I just answered my own question above: here's what's on Jegs site. Plus I just called and spoke with them. Basically your on your own to fight any warranty issues with no leg to stand on if I install myself. Guess they look for any reason not to honor warranty. Which is not a GM thing just a regular Corporate America thing.


Warranty coverage is based on months/mileage, whichever comes first, and begins on the date of
installation
by an authorized GM dealer or by a qualified Independent Service Center (ISC). For all other over-the-counter
sales, warranty begins on date of retail sale.


PS, sorry if I got off topic. But seems like you may be going this route if you get the news we all think when you pull heads.


I drained a little oil out of it and found a lot of metal shavings, I'm pretty sure now that it's had water in the oil for some time, I'm not even going to bother pulling the heads, I'd rather just buy a new engine than have this one start knocking a few months later, I only want to pull the engine once. I haven't decided what to get yet but I need to do it soon, I drive this truck every day. What would you guys put in a 72 gmc 4X4, th350. I live in the mountains and only tow my teardrop trailer with the truck, it's my daily driver. I'd like to keep it around $2000.
Thanks for the suggestions!

imjeff 10-08-2014 09:47 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
I would do a stockish ("RV" type cam) 350. It'll do everything you want, make good vacuum, run at elevation, etc

Jeff

mechanicalman 10-08-2014 10:02 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffahart (Post 6872234)
I just answered my own question above: here's what's on Jegs site. Plus I just called and spoke with them. Basically your on your own to fight any warranty issues with no leg to stand on if I install myself. Guess they look for any reason not to honor warranty. Which is not a GM thing just a regular Corporate America thing.


Warranty coverage is based on months/mileage, whichever comes first, and begins on the date of
installation
by an authorized GM dealer or by a qualified Independent Service Center (ISC). For all other over-the-counter
sales, warranty begins on date of retail sale.


PS, sorry if I got off topic. But seems like you may be going this route if you get the news we all think when you pull heads.

That's good info, Jeff, even if it's disappointing. We all know a shop can mess it up every bit as good as we can LOL.

But maybe Jeg's is flawed in their thinking. If a shop messes it up they will have every reason why it was a defective engine and they get paid to do it over. The owner, on the other hand, does not want to do it twice.

jeffahart 10-08-2014 10:27 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
$2000 can be done but it will be a tight squeeze. It becomes all about your tolerance for re-bolting old and iffy parts back onto your new pack. Distributor, oil pump, water pump.... it all starts adding up.

I will be allocating $4000-$5000 and it's because I plan to get new everything within reason. And that includes radiator.

mechanicalman 10-08-2014 10:30 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffahart (Post 6872415)
$2000 can be done but it will be a tight squeeze. It becomes all about your tolerance for re-bolting old and iffy parts back onto your new pack. Distributor, oil pump, water pump.... It all starts adding up.

x2.

imjeff 10-08-2014 11:14 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffahart (Post 6872415)
$2000 can be done but it will be a tight squeeze. It becomes all about your tolerance for re-bolting old and iffy parts back onto your new pack. Distributor, oil pump, water pump.... it all starts adding up.

I will be allocating $4000-$5000 and it's because I plan to get new everything within reason. And that includes radiator.

The oil pump comes on the new long block. You can rebuild or find a good distributor cheap. If your intake and carb are good, clean em' up, replace the thermostat and bolt it together. You know that your water pump, starter, alternator etc. work, so just clean them and install. New belts and hoses can add up, but if you use Rock Auto and your own labor you'll come in right about $2000.

jeffahart 10-08-2014 11:45 PM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by imjeff (Post 6872487)
The oil pump comes on the new long block. You can rebuild or find a good distributor cheap. If your intake and carb are good, clean em' up, replace the thermostat and bolt it together. You know that your water pump, starter, alternator etc. work, so just clean them and install. New belts and hoses can add up, but if you use Rock Auto and your own labor you'll come in right about $2000.

Yes, thanks for the correction. Oil pump included.

Xeen 10-09-2014 08:56 AM

Re: Clouds of white coming out of one side of exhaust
 
What ever you decide to do you need to do it soon, that engine isn't going to last very much longer in it's current condition.


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