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My 302 is blowing white smoke from the dip stick tube and oil filler hole in the valve cover. I have been told this is a possible water leak. My question is, where is the likely source on this motor. I just replaced every single gasket on the engine, with the exception of the oil pump to block gasket. As it was not included in my kit. So this is kind of frustrating after all this. So where should I start looking. There seems to be some type of oil vapors in the smoke because it is showing on the valve cover around the filler hole. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Jun-02 AT 01:53 AM (EST)]The only gaskets that can possibly leak water into the crankcase are the timing cover gasket (doubtful), intake manifold gaskets and the head gaskets. Are you SURE that you put them in right? The head gaskets will fit two ways, but only one is correct. The FRONT stamp HAS to go to the front, even though this means putting one on upside down. The intake gaskets interlock with the head gaskets in the four corners. If this isn't correct, it may cause a gasket missalignment that may leak. I think what you're seeing might be blowby and condensation. Is the PCV system completely installed and working correctly? What about the fresh air inlet?
That intake manifold gasket sometimes likes to slip when installing the manifold. If the head gaskets were upside down or backwards, I believe your engine would overheat and leak. Retorque your intake manifold and heads again. Then go from their... Good luck!
i agree with the above post. first retorque the intake per the spec's be very careful not to over tighten the intake bolts. then go back and retorque the heads to spec then go back and add an additional 10 on the upper head bolts only. has you will notice that the intake bolts run straight down into the heads instead of angled. this deal tends to lift the head slightly when the intake is torqued. also the early 302's had blind bolt holes and the later 302/5.0l allowed the bolt to pass into the water jacket. if you have a late model 302/5.0l and did not use a sealer you could have a leak problem.
If you have a water leak, you will notice it when you drain the oil. Water is heavier than oil, so the first thing that will come out of the drain plug will be coolant. If this looks ok, I agree that your PCV system is not working, or you have excessive blowby from worn pistons rings, or new rings that haven't seated correctly.