steam from exhaust pipe

[itrustno1]

I've got an 89 1500 5.7L with 174,000 original miles, last week I started it up and white clouds started billowing out. Took it apart and replaced the totally rotted head gaskets all the way up to the tbi gasket. Turned the key, fired right up, still billowing white steam. Whatcould it be? Cracked head(s), cracked block, valve, ?? Please help. How can I determine exactly which one it is without breaking it all down again? Please help.

 

[zora]

did you pull the spark plugs and check for anything unusal that would point to that cylinder getting water.?At 174,000 you pulled the heads and didnt send them to a machine shop? Did you check to see if the head surface was level?

 

[Chuzz]

Did you remove the plugs and clear the cylinders? Also did you change your oil and filter? Let it run for a while and then see what happens. Sniff the exhaust and see if it has a sweet smell to it. If so, it could be a cracked head or block, but I'm thinking you've just got residual antifreeze in the exhaust system and haven't gotten it hot enough or run it long enough to burn it all out. If if were mine, I'd take it on about a 50 mile round trip, non-stop drive. Of course, you want to keep an eye on your temp gauge and make sure it doesn't over heat. If it starts to run hot, shut it down and drag it home. Best to have a buddy follow you with a tow vehicle, just in case.

 

[itrustno1]

Well, now that I had enough days off from work, I pulled the heads back off, had em checked and they wer both cracked. So, I ended up buying a pair in look-like-new condition, bought another gasket kit, cleaned things up on the block, the whole enchilada with rice and beans (my favorite), torqued everything down twice, turned the key......and fired right up like as if the fuel lines wer never even disconnected, clouds of white billowing like a rock concert.......for only about 12min tho, then it cleared up, checked oil and clean n clear as liquid gold. Total cost=$540. If I would've taken it in....easy $1, 000+. I was surprised i got the valve adjustments damn near when putting it all together. Gah man, it was soo fun, I bought a used short block to do it again....for fun. Hope I didnt forget to do anything vital, but its running very very well now especially with all 8 cylinders instead of only 7. Thanks guys.

 

[Chuzz]

Wow! Both heads were cracked? That is a rarity. I can't recall ever having a vehicle crack both heads and I've been farting around with cars for over 40 years. Glad to hear you got her fixed and see that if anything happens to the bottom end, you'll just swap out the short block and basically have a new engine. Be sure to get a new water pump if you ever have to go that route.

 

[itrustno1]

Well, i was TOLD that both heads wer cracked so i used one of my favorite lines, SHOW ME, and he did. I even punched my initials in the heads before taking em in just to be sure and yup, both wer cracked, one more than the other. My dad had mentioned to me also, about the bottom end going out next after a top end job. Can u fill me in as to how that happens?

 

[Chuzz]

Never heard of that happening either. I wonder what your dad bases that prediction on. As long as the bottom end rings, main bearings and rod bearings along with the oil pump were in good shape before you started, there's no reason to predict a failure due to having the top end replaced. That's like saying since you replaced a head light, the tail light is going to stop working. No rhyme, no reason, NO LOGIC to that line of thinking.