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White smoke from tail pipe

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Old Oct 16, 2013 | 02:25 AM
  #1  
jpach1990's Avatar
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Car: 1984 Trans Am Recaro
Engine: 5.0L V8
White smoke from tail pipe

So when i start the car im getting white smoke out the back im thinking ill probably have to replace the head gasket should i just get a kit and replace all the other gaskets when i take the heads off and how do i know if i have cylinder head bolts or not
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Old Oct 16, 2013 | 09:27 AM
  #2  
HiPerf_Chevyman's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 364
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From: Charlotte NC
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: The Wicked six'ah
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock 3.08's
Re: White smoke from tail pipe

Yes. Head gaskets, intake manifold, exhaust manifold gaskets, are needed. Valve covers, if they are the blue rubber gaskets, its up to you. ive reused these many times. Yes You need to change the head bolts. if its a Stock motor it has head bolts. look under the exhaust manifold and theres your answer when you see the Studs with nuts or bolts. I usually like to throw in valve seals at this time also............
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Old Oct 16, 2013 | 02:46 PM
  #3  
paulo57509's Avatar
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From: Tracy, CA
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: White smoke from tail pipe

When you get the white smoke is the engine dead cold from sitting over night? Does the white smoke stop after the engine warms up? Has it been a bit chilly in the morning where you live?

It might be normal; it's just condensation in the exhaust system burning off.
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Old Oct 16, 2013 | 06:40 PM
  #4  
Drac0nic's Avatar
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Re: White smoke from tail pipe

The best thing to do is either get a pressure test or there's a fluid you can use to check for HG leaks; Are you using coolant? If not, it may not be due to the HGs. If you pull the heads off I would break them down, then get them magnafluxed and cleaned. It's an extra 60-90 bucks if you disassemble yourself but you eliminate the risk of there being any issues with them being cracked. Also I really like doing the Vortec valve seals for the exhausts on these (they're the same as the intake) it gets rid of the "morning puff" which is really nice IMO.

If you have a few extra bucks to spend, my add ons would be:

-New valve springs, some Competition Products "Z28" springs are cool, but yours are probably gone and this will help if you ever cam swap. You can get em for $50 or so.
-A good back cutting on the valves. Probably about another $50 depending on the machine shop
-3 angle valve job for the intake radius valve job for the exhaust
-Bowl work on the heads
-shave heads

You can probably ignore the last 3 if you don't ever intend on having your engine be anything more than a stocker. If you intend on hopping it up later the last 4 will probably be 300 bucks in all and give you large performance gains if you have bolt ons to back them up and small gains on an even otherwise stock engine.

Last edited by Drac0nic; Oct 16, 2013 at 06:44 PM.
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Old Oct 16, 2013 | 06:46 PM
  #5  
hydrolic144's Avatar
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From: Orlando,FL
Car: 1987 GTA Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9-Bolt 3.27
Re: White smoke from tail pipe

If you aren't over heating it's most likely not head gaskets. More so valve seals. I get a puff of smoke on cold starts with mine. From what I hear is a very very common thing with these cars. The oil still holds it's capacity with every 3k miles oil change.
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