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I think I know the answer but...

RustyRed

Active Member
The Mustang she is now alive...got the new aluminum radiator installed last night...finished it up about 11:30 or 12.

This morning I fired her up and she was really cold at first but I think this new motor is going to run pretty well once you get it warmed up...no surprise, I've had several vehicles with a 289 or 302 in my life and they have all been cold natured.

The odd thing though is when I first fired it up it freaked me out because I created a fairly large cloud of white smoke. I know the very first time we fired her up to do the break in, etc it was smoking enough we were starting to get worried about a bad head gasket at first. But after about 10 minutes it stopped smoking.

This moring it just smoked for about 30 seconds at start up then stopped. I had enough water dripping out of the pipes in back to make a small puddle so I am thinking it was just condensate?

She really hasn't run much for the better part of the month, it was a semi-cool morning and it has been raining like no tomorrow the last couple of days.
 
In my experience the condensate results in water dripping vs. smoke. At first fire up the mufflers are nowhere near hot enough to vaporize the water. The cool morning and rain may have more to do with the smoke than anything. Was it truly white smoke or more like "seeing the exhaust" due to the cool rainy morning? A bad head gasket is typically gonna result in rough running and some overheating. One thing you can do is go out in the morning, pop the radiator cap, and start the car. If you've got a head gasket issue the water will immediately start to bubble and overflow from the radiator. I don't think you have anything to worry about...you just have the new engine jitters. I'd definitely do the radiator cap trick and report back.
 
"blue65coupe" said:
In my experience the condensate results in water dripping vs. smoke. At first fire up the mufflers are nowhere near hot enough to vaporize the water. The cool morning and rain may have more to do with the smoke than anything. Was it truly white smoke or more like "seeing the exhaust" due to the cool rainy morning? A bad head gasket is typically gonna result in rough running and some overheating. One thing you can do is go out in the morning, pop the radiator cap, and start the car. If you've got a head gasket issue the water will immediately start to bubble and overflow from the radiator. I don't think you have anything to worry about...you just have the new engine jitters. I'd definitely do the radiator cap trick and report back.
Spoken like a man thats been there. I agree, its the new engine jitters... But if you were Duane, you could probably rebuild the carb first! :craz
 
I'd agree it is likely new motor jitters.

It was more like smoke...just the first 15 seconds to 30 seconds of running then it stopped. Might be just burning off a bit more of the assembly lube or something.

I started it up again this evening and I didn't notice any smoke but then I didn't look that close either. I was more focused on making sure my tranny cooling line was hooked up good and not leaking this time. At least I got that fixed....

My thought was if it were something along the lines of a bad gasket it would have continued to smoke.

I'll give the cap removal trick a go and see what happens....I don't plan to rebuild the carb in the process however, LOL!
 
"lethal289" said:
Spoken like a man thats been there. I agree, its the new engine jitters... But if you were Duane, you could probably rebuild the carb first! :craz

You have no idea. Would you believe me if I told you I have a bad head gasket after the acid fiasco?
 
Damn Duane, Im starting to think that if you did not have bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all... That really sucks.
 
I noticed the signs on Thursday afternoon. Didn't feel like posting anymore about the car but I'm assuming it was a result of the bathing while cleaning the acid. Either way, I'm over it and can laugh about it. This time, it's taking a back burner. I've got some hunting to do and I probably need a break. I'm pulling the engine and will inspect everything with a magnifying glass. I'm also gonna take some time and clean up the engine/bay and tidy up some things I wanted to anyway. Realistically speaking, I'm not even gonna try to get everything done until after hunting season. Oh well.
 
I dont know what winters are like there, but take some time, a much needed break, and shoot for the spring. At least thats what im doing :lol :po :lol
 
You're not going to actually walk into the woods with a loaded weapon are you? With your recent luck.... or lack of it... you're likely not to come out alive.
 
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