new to the board and the 3rd gen type cars. when i first start my car i get a bit of white smoke, it only lasts about 3 seconds. i would normally think it was the tranny modulator/vaccum. doesn't the 700r4 only have elec and tvc?
not burning any oil or no coolant, it's an 84 berlinetta 305/700r4
4bbl, what else should i look for?
also if any one has any tips for power increase while i'm saving for rebuild. already adjusted secondary tension and disconnected the AIR system.

 

White smoke is coolant. Its actually steam. Are you sure that it doesnt have a tinge of blue to it. The puffing on startup is very consistant with valve stem seals.

 

ljno may be all over this one. Have an assistant start the engine cold while you stand at the rear of the car. Trust your nose to tell you what kind of steam or smoke is being developed.

The odor of oil smoke is as distinctive as coolant steam. The typical SBC valve stem seal smoke on startup may be your "problem". My '86 has had this "problem" for over ten years, and since about 16-18K miles. Doesn't bother me a bit. I just appreciate the extra upper cylinder lubrication on cold starts.

Another thing to remember is that coolant steam/smoke is more common once the engine has warmed and the cooling system has developed some pressure. It is possible that a minor leak can fill a cylinder or intake runner on shut down, creating the startup steam, but that isn't nearly as common as steam/smoke after warmup. Even at that, any steam from such a leak would likely not be apparent until th eexhaust system had warmed up enough to keep the vapor in suspension long enough to expel it from the tailpipes.