Alright for the past couple weeks I've been trying to get this T/A running. Today I cleaned out the TB (Which was very dirty), and I replaced the intake gaskets (except for one in the back, that one I just retightened the screws, I couldn't pry the header back enough to get it out)!

I started it up (but I forgot the weight was on the pedal that I used to keep the TB open)! I shut if off immediatley...I admit I made some noob mistakes. I started it again and it ran fine..except for all this white smoke! YUCKY!

I tried to restart a few times after the smoke cleared...no luck, then I saw this steady stream of white smoke creep up from the left header/spark plug.

Did I mess up my car big time? I bought this car is hopes of having a fun 350 car for summer.

I hope I did'nt mess up my car.

 

White smoke is coolant

Either blew a head gasket or intake gasket is leaking coolant into a runner

Smoke around the header is likely an exhaust leak blowing the vaporized coolant up, check and see if its blowing out the exhaust

 

If you did intake gaskets, use a little (and I do mean a little) RTV around the water ports on the gaskets. Also make sure the intake and head surfaces are completely clean. If you replaced header/exhaust gaskets, and didn't replace the back ones, you probably have blown exhaust gaskets back there. I've seen this many times because people give up on tightening all the bolts properly.

 

I took out the back, passenger side gasket but couldn't replace, for it was too tight. I just did so much little stuff maybe I thought maybe it would work that I didn't bother to tighten the header in the back.

Nothing major is damaged right? Just a leak? I feel much better!

 

Its still not good

Is it comming out the exhaust or just at the header?

What do you mean you couldnt get it off because it was too tight? The intake is held on by bolts which are always removable. If the gasket gave you trouble use a razorblade

 

It looks like it's coming out the header/underneath the engine near the spark plugs.

I couldn't pry the header back enough to get the gasket out, I barely got the front 2 out, there isn't much room to move stuff. I removed all the bolts and what not, it's just too tight!

 

i thought white smoke was bad valve guide seals. whats it smell like you can usually tell that way too

 

Smokes:

White - coolant
Black - too rich
Blue at start-up - valve seals
Blue during run/load/acceleration - rings

Unbolt it at the Y-pipe
By front 2, I assume you mean front 2 bolts. Pass side can be tricky especially for people with large hands. Keep at it you can get all 6 bolts albeit 1-2 may have to be gotten from underneath

 

mine smokes white only on start up but smells like oil