Smokes coming from my exhaust.

[John Collins]

I have a ‘73 Dart Sport with an LA360 in it. Unknown engine build. I need advice on what step to take next.

The cars been sitting for almost 3 years while I was messing around with the electrical on it. At some point it started smoking while I was testing the electrical in the last 2 years. I never drove it during this time, I only started it. I was hoping it was just condensation build up burning off, but it quite a bit of liquid coming out of the exhaust pipes. Driver side seems to be a little worse. In my not at all expert opinion, it could be valve stem seals, or head a blown gasket.

I was thinking about taking the heads to get a refresh and reinstall with new gaskets and go from there. Is there any steps I can take before hand to verify what’s causing the smoke? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[toolmanmike]

I wouldn't be too concerned about it just yet. Get it sorted out and drive it for a while monitoring the coolant and oil levels. (don't fill the radiator to the top. the level will settle a inch or so from the top) White smoke from the exhaust is coolant and blue is oil. Black smoke is excessively rich (Gas)

 

[John Collins]

Thanks you. I was thinking that driving it more would be the ticket, but didn’t want to create more damage trying to assess.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Get it driving first and drive it a while. Condensation is a normal part of the exhaust and you will see a lot sometimes, depending on weather conditions.

 

[John Collins]

Get it driving first and drive it a while. Condensation is a normal part of the exhaust and you will see a lot sometimes, depending on weather conditions.

I was trying to tell her that smoking was bad for her, but she’s not listening. I guess driving it around is the next step.

I need to register it and get new plates. I’ll be doing that this week.

Thanks again!

 

[Inertia]

If you've been running it for short periods, the mufflers and dips in the tubes can quite literally have pools of condensation.

 

[Deltatech]

Steam dissipates quickly, smoke lingers.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Sometimes when one sits up a while or is not driven regularly it will take a little bit for the exhaust to clean up. That's why I say put some miles on it first and then see what happens.

 

[missing linc]

Could be the rings need to re-seat, my 360 smokes a little bit, hasn't been run much for the last 4 years or more, but I will just drive it and give it some time. Had a 318 that smoked for a few months, but it had not run at all for probably 3 years or more before I got my mitts on it.