Today I finally got my grandpa's old truck road legal. I've been tinkering with it for the last month or so and I've done a couple of short distance test drives and it seemed to be fine. Well, today I took it on the highway for the first time for about 6 miles, and when I stopped at the light on the off-ramp it sputtered a bit then died on me. Since half the guages only work when they want to I had no idea it was getting VERY hot. So I pushed it into a nearby parking lot and let it sit for about an hour or so, and when I came back I crossed my fingers and turned the key and it started right up. BUT..it was pouring smoke from the tailpipe. And I mean ALOT of smoke. So much smoke that on the way home some teenagers pulled up beside me at a light, got out of thier car and decided it would be a good idea to go running through it lol. So anyhow I could really use some help on this due to the fact that everything I know about cars I've taught myself through trial and error. And I stress ERROR.
The best that I can think of is that the thermostat is out causing the over heating. And as far as the smoke goes, I am assuming a blown head gasket. The smoke is thick, white and smells sweet. (like coolant) And I'm losing coolant fast but none spilling on the ground. But I don't have alot of time or cash on hand and I'd hate to tear the motor apart and find out its not the head gasket. Is there ANY other reason besides a blown head gasket that could cause that much smoke? And would it just blow out just like that with no signs or warnings? I think tomarrow I'm gonna take the thermostat off and let it run a little while without it and see if thats the reason it's over heating.
I really don't like being the bearer of bad news but it seems pretty likely that the head gasket did indeed let go. That is not too uncommon after a motor has been overheated especially if it is the 302 v8 they really seem to take exception to overheating. If you do get into doing the head gaskets make sure to inspect the heads closely to make sure that they are flat not warped and that there are no cracks as these are problems that can also show up on an engine that has been overheated. Also I agree running it would not be a good idea right now.
don't run it without the t stat it could still over heat.the easiest way to tell is fill the rad run the engine and see if you get bubbles in the rad if yes you have blown head gasket,or cracked head.see if your getting coolant in the oil.
To answer your first question ... WE love them cause they get in our blood ... like malaria!!!
Even when I was working on Porsche's ... I was much happier working on AND driving my MGB's.
I LOVE my Ford Truck!!!
anyoldways ...
I agree ... you probably go a blown head gasket. Or Two!
That sweet smell is antifreeze for sure!
More bad news?
MAYBE ... just maybe ... depending on how long the truck sat ... and depending on how hot you got it ... You just *might* have cooked the rings into the pistons.
And a compression test or a cylinder leak down test won't indicate/show BOTH failures!
Another test you can do ... if you got a coolant system pressure checker ... or a source for compressed air ...
Pull the plugs ... fill the cooling system with WATER ... and put a bit of pressure into the cooling system ... 18 PSI should do it ... for just a little while ... 30 secs or so.
Check to see if coolant come out of one of the spark plug holes ... If not ... get a buddy to crank the engine while you watch ... from the front of the truck.
NOT the sides!!!
If you got a blown head gasket ... water should come squirting out of one of the spark plug holes.
Sorry bud ... but that much smoke coming out the tail pipe ... is almost as bad as that much smoke leaking out of the electrickle wires!!!
oddshot! howz it goin man? hey, sell theMGs and Blazer, and put the money into the Ford. lol
To tell the truth ... I ain't real fond of the Blazer ... I had an older one that I liked a lot but it started to rot bad (salt in New Jersey!!!) so I traded it for this one.
The MG's ... nope I just can't do it ... I've had at least ONE MGB since 1977.
Sometimes I had as many as 6 or 7 laying around.
Besides ... everybody who's owned one knows that the "GT" on the back of MGB-GT stands for "GREAT TRUCK"!!!
I've often looked at these little cars and thought they'd make a great little pickup.
I just can't decide ... step side (OK...OK "FLAIR" side) or fleet side!
I agree not running the truck is a good idea. But would a blown headgasket cause the overheating? If so, the good thing is I might only have ONE problem instead of two or more.
I agree not running the truck is a good idea. But would a blown headgasket cause the overheating? If so, the good thing is I might only have ONE problem instead of two or more.
I got over 30 years in Auto Repair and I'm telling you its almost a no doubter!
Just by your description of the symptoms.
How else could you get coolant (that sweet smell and the huge clouds) ... into your combustion chambers, and ultimately, your exhaust?
A cracked block could do it.
A cracked head could do it.
Blown Head Gaskets could do it.
But NOT just a thermostat.
I'd almost bet the ranch you blew a head gasket. Or TWO.
You *MIGHT* still have a bad thermostat ... It could be what overheated the engine to begin with. If/when you replace the head gaskets ... you SHOULD put one in.
But heck ... I'm ONLY 59 years old ... and only got 30 +/- years in the trade. I'm the first to admit I don't know everything.
That's why you got to run the tests everybody mentioned above.
Tomorrow ... when you pull the plugs ... look for the REAL clean one(s) ... or the ones with antifreeze one them.
Those cylinders will be the ones your head gaskets have leaked into.
Well I just took the valve cover off and discovered that my truck is a chocolate shake machine. I took some pictures if anyone needs to see them but you'll have to tell me how to add them to the post first. I can't for the life of me figure out how to add pics.
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Why do I love old trucks?
