Hey all,
heres the truck: 1980 F-150 Flareside, aquired in Feb., 4x4, 302, C-6, 200K miles, absolutely zero PO maintainence.

Heres how this started: a few days ago, the motor started to "tick", the sound coming from the left front. I took the truck off the road until I could check things out. After removing the valve cover, looking and listening, I determined the ticking sound was coming from the exhaust valve, #1 cylinder. It sounded as if the valve was not getting any lubrication, making slight metal-metal contact. I took a chance that there was something not allowing any oil to get near the valve, and decided to do a motor flush and oil change. Normally I wouldn't want to flush a motor like this (no PO work) 'cuz the sludge may be the only thing holding the motor together.
After adding the flush and running the engine for a few minutes, WA-LA, no ticking sound. I changed oil and filter, using 10w40. I have used 10w30 the last 2 changes(1st in feb, 2nd in may@ 2K miles) This was yesterday and I drove the truck around with no problems, noting how smooth it seemed to run.

Heres the immediate trouble:Today I replaced the master cylinder. I was getting ready to bleed the system and started the truck. The damn "tick" is back! Whats more, dense white smoke began to make itself known from the exhaust pipes. Oil pressure is fine, level is is good, smoke has no real discernible odor to it.

WTF?!

I need help asap, as this truck is pretty much my main transportation right now. I will be working on it this weekend, so any help, ideas, whatever, will be super appreciated. I am posting in multiple forums and apoligise in advance for that nuisance

Thanks X 100 in advance,

DS

 

Well as I was reading, I was thinking it was a hydraulic lifter making noise. But now with the smoke, I'm thinking head gasket.

Check your coolant level, check the oil again, and take a look at the spark plugs.

 

Replaced the master cylinder...hmm...any chance the brake booster is bad and brake fluid is getting sucked into the intake to be burned? Burning brake fluid would cause a dense white smoke like you describe. So will burning anti-freeze. Might have the cooling system pressure tested to see if it's pulling coolant into a combustion chamber.


As for the ticking, it's possibly a lifter that's sticking. Not uncommon for an older low-maintenance engine.

And it's better to only post a question in one particular forum, kinda tends to clog up the system. Imagine if everyone did that!

 

I believe that automatic tranny fluid will also burn white. Does a C-6 have a vacumn solenoid on the back?

 

Sure 'nough. Another good possibility!

 

Usually: black smoke is fuel, blue to bluish/white smoke is oil, white (smoke?) is water vapor (condensed steam).

 

Threads merged. Please do not cross post.

 

Hey TigerDan and Torque1st,
sorry for the multiple posting, but I was in a bit of a panic last night when writing. No worries on multi-forums in the future.

So, heres what appears to be on my agenda this weekend:

1. Check all fluid levels (oil, cooling, tranny)
2. Pull plugs and note condition
3. Unhook the brake booster vacume line and see if smoke clears
4. Check tranny vacume solenoid

If anyone can make additional suggestions, please let me know.

So what is the cure for a stuck lifter? Replacement only?

Thanks again,

Dave

 

Hey all,
the smoke is gone! I unhooked the brake booster vacume line and ran the engine for a minute or so and the the smoke went away. BTW, the best description I can give for the smell of the smoke is "halitosis". Yuck.
I reconnected the line and started the motor and it smoked for about 15 seconds and hasn't smoked since. I guess I dripped some brake fluid in/on/near the booster when installing the master cylinder.

Thanks to all for helping a guy in panic mode!

Now, on to the ticking sound...

DS