I have a 72 with a 390 in it. It started blowing "smoke" out of the drivers side pipe after my buddy overheated the truck. I put a piece of glass close to the pipe and it seems to be more steam than smoke. I also checked the plugs, and found the first one on the driver side (I'm not sure the number) to have a little water on it. I checked the dipstick and above the oil I can tell there is water. I took off the oil cap and don't appear to have blow-back. So this is what I'm thinking is the deal and I'd like everyones .
I hope it is just the valve cover gasket. I am changing both of them over Labor Day so I want to see what everyone thought.
Other questions...
Will the water inside the engine ruin anything until then?
Anything else I should double check while I got it apart?
I hope it is just the valve cover gasket. I am changing both of them over Labor Day so I want to see what everyone thought.
Valve cover gaskets won't let water into the oil or the cylinder to burn. Intake or head gaskets would be my guess, probably head gaskets if it was over heated.
Will the water inside the engine ruin anything until then?
Its not good either way, but if it has antifreeze in it it will attack bearing material pretty fast.
Drain that water outta of your crank case your crank and rods will rust.
When you do the head gaskets inspect the heads closely, maybe even have them magnifluxed,for cracks.
If you've got the head off, I'd go ahead and have it magnafluxed for cracks.
This really doesn't cost that much more and will give you piece of mind.
Call a local machine shop for pricing, you'll be glad you did.
Kinda' a "measure twice/cut once" type thing.
So you don't wind up pulling the head again...
Basketcase
Jeff http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=46251
SOLD-71 F-350 dually flatbed, 302 / .030 over V-8 with a "baby"C-6, B & M truckshifter, Dana70/4.11 ratio, intermittent wipers, tilt steering, full LED lighting on the flat bed, and no stereo yet (this way I can hear the rattles to diagnose)! SOLD!
Many Ford bumps / one 76' EB / and several dents through the years.
A lot of "oddball" Ford parts collected from working on them for 34 years now!
2008 Ford Escape 4 x 4
I agree about having it magged and I would also check it for sunk valves and flatness. Probably a good time to get the heads rebuilt if you have never touched them before. Seems like FE's are bad about sinking the valves.
clint
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