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Old 02-25-2012, 8:56pm   #21
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Funny thing. I was out playing on it, and it started, ran for a second, but died... Which is further than I've been.
Normally I have to pour gas straight down the carb, but this time it turn key started. But I also pumped the tank out a few days ago. So I need to add gas and see.

If it catastrophically fails, then I'm back at square on with an engine rebuild/crate engine
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Old 02-25-2012, 9:25pm   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Montehall View Post
If it catastrophically fails, then I'm back at square on with an engine rebuild/crate engine
With the shavings that I'm seeing... you aren't far at all from something catastrophic. On the same note, if you are seeing that in 1 cylinder, you could very easily have some really ugly things in other places.

I would say that the best option at this point would be to bite the bullet, pull the heads and see what you have. You might be able to save a good portion of it and save a load of $$ in the end compared to a full swap when it goes ka-boom.

If you are to the point of having the heads off, you can take the time to do it right, get everything back together the way it should be together and come out the other side with a solid engine instead of the gremlins that will almost surely come out of a full swap.

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So would a compression test be worth anything?
I think a leak down test would tell a lot more than a compression test in this case... although I do agree that most likely you have a piston issue, a leak down test could help find the issue if it is in the valvetrain.
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Old 02-26-2012, 2:46pm   #23
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Have you checked the shavings with a magnet to see if they're aluminum or iron (piston or valve-train/cylinder)?
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Old 02-26-2012, 4:01pm   #24
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Quote:
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Have you checked the shavings with a magnet to see if they're aluminum or iron (piston or valve-train/cylinder)?
Now thats good thinkin' ....
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Old 02-26-2012, 4:32pm   #25
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no,i already tossed em, too.
If I get it running again, ill pull the plugs and see what I get
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Old 02-27-2012, 7:57am   #26
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So I had out running last night.
Had some white smoke coming out the exhaust.
Video:
http://static.photobucket.com/player...-05-17_881.mp4
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Old 02-27-2012, 10:01am   #27
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You may need to borrow or buy tools, but the two things i would try are a leak-down test on the affected side, and secondly, get a radiator pressure checker and see if the cooling system can hold pressure.

gaskets or block/head cracks could be letting a little coolant into the combustion as well.

what does the coolant smell like?
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Old 02-27-2012, 12:51pm   #28
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Ill take a look when I get home... Don't think I ever checked
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Old 02-27-2012, 1:30pm   #29
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Or could it just be all the water in the gas burning off
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Old 02-27-2012, 9:35pm   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike100 View Post
You may need to borrow or buy tools, but the two things i would try are a leak-down test on the affected side, and secondly, get a radiator pressure checker and see if the cooling system can hold pressure.

gaskets or block/head cracks could be letting a little coolant into the combustion as well.

what does the coolant smell like?
Coolant is still bright green and full... Smells like antifreeze
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Old 02-28-2012, 6:55am   #31
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Cant see the vid. But dont confuse white "Smoke" with steam... Remember a by product of combustion is water.
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Old 02-28-2012, 9:22am   #32
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Cant see the vid. But dont confuse white "Smoke" with steam... Remember a by product of combustion is water.
I do seem to recall that it took a while to actually produce anything out of the tips...
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Old 02-28-2012, 5:43pm   #33
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so... I ran the car today.
started with no smoke/steam

got going for 5 minutes, and smoke/steam started coming out of the passenger side tailpipe only.
I popped the radiator cover, and coolant was pouring out of it. I reached over and gave it some throttle, and the coolant level dropped. more smoke/steam

Then I pulled the oil dipstick, and my oil looks like watery chocolate milk.


damn.
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Old 02-28-2012, 5:51pm   #34
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Blown head gasket at the very least....Was the car ever overheated? 84 right? Iron heads are hard to warp. Whats the history on the car...Maybe we're missing something here.
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Old 02-28-2012, 5:54pm   #35
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Not good. Most likely a head gasket. I would not run the car anymore. That thinned out oil can and will cause permanent mechanical engine damage.

When the heads are off inspect cyl walls for any gauling (because of the metal shavings). and inspect pistons. If all seems well. Re install with new gaskets.

If you dont feel like getting that involved or running the risk of there being any other damage. Sounds like a crate engine is the way to go.... :/
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Old 02-28-2012, 6:03pm   #36
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yes and 84. I never overheated it.

history:
Last March, my wife was visiting family in Indiana, and saw the car for sale. She knows I didn't want an 84 because of Crossfire. This one was converted to a Qjet.
The owner was a mechanic, he bought the car for his sister... she died and it sat in a garage for a few years before he got it out and drove it for 8 months, then needed money more than the car. (we had to scrape off the "in loving memory" sticker)

she bought it, and we trailered it here where I've driven it about 5 times in between new problems.
*Throw-out bearing went out (replaced)
*car would die everytime I used the brakes (caused by excessive fuel pressure)
*17psi fuel pump was never removed for the carb conversion (in-line regulator installed)

this is the latest. I hate giving up. The body of the car is pretty straight for having 101K and the interior (minus seats) is in great condition.
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Old 02-28-2012, 6:04pm   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Montehall View Post
so... I ran the car today.
started with no smoke/steam

got going for 5 minutes, and smoke/steam started coming out of the passenger side tailpipe only.
I popped the radiator cover, and coolant was pouring out of it. I reached over and gave it some throttle, and the coolant level dropped. more smoke/steam

Then I pulled the oil dipstick, and my oil looks like watery chocolate milk.


damn.
Sorry guy, it's toast. If you're lucky it's a head gasket but that would not explain the bits of metal. You've more likely have a damaged block or a cracked head at the very least.

Last edited by Taurus; 02-28-2012 at 8:02pm.
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Old 02-28-2012, 6:35pm   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Montehall View Post
yes and 84. I never overheated it.

history:
Last March, my wife was visiting family in Indiana, and saw the car for sale. She knows I didn't want an 84 because of Crossfire. This one was converted to a Qjet.
The owner was a mechanic, he bought the car for his sister... she died and it sat in a garage for a few years before he got it out and drove it for 8 months, then needed money more than the car. (we had to scrape off the "in loving memory" sticker)

she bought it, and we trailered it here where I've driven it about 5 times in between new problems.
*Throw-out bearing went out (replaced)
*car would die everytime I used the brakes (caused by excessive fuel pressure)
*17psi fuel pump was never removed for the carb conversion (in-line regulator installed)

this is the latest. I hate giving up. The body of the car is pretty straight for having 101K and the interior (minus seats) is in great condition.
OK..Good info here..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Taurus View Post
Sorry guy, it's toast. If you're lucky it's a head hasket but that would not explain the bits of metal. You've more likely have a damaged block or a cracked head at the very least.
Gotta agree here...Can you do your own work? I think you will want to start with Pressure test ing the cooling system to try to see where the coolant is going...Bottom line is the heads have the come off and checked at a machine shor capable of magnafluxinr the check for cracks. Then be checked for warping...Sorry for the bad news...
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Old 02-28-2012, 7:58pm   #39
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On the plus side: sbc's are cheap
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Old 02-29-2012, 11:24am   #40
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or maybe a Turbo-diesel vette

seriously though.. I'm going to take a gander at the gasket, but there is no way I'm doing an engine swap.
first: I don't have the facilities or tools to do it.
second: there is nothing else in that car that works the way it should... except the headlights, horn, and radio.
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