Lt1 engine problems

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Dec 9, 2008 | 10:20 PM

vicalma03

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From: Spring, TX

Lt1 engine problems

So I've been trying to figure this out for a couple of days. I rebuilt a 1996 lt1 motor. I had the block cleaned and checked at scrogens here in Houston, and had the block machined at HKE. I left the heads alone as they only had about 1000 miles from the previous owner (dumb move). We get the motor in, fired it up and had a lot of white smoke coming from the driver side exhaust. I took the heads off and had them rebuilt at scrogens, and had them checked for cracks and what not. I get it all put back together and its still doing the same thing. What the hell could it be?? Cylinder pin hole?? Is this common? When I first started the eninge, it was smoking from both sides, now only the driver side is doing it. Any help would be appreciated.. thanks

Vic

Dec 9, 2008 | 11:09 PM

the_merv

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From: The Beach...

Are your Head Gaskets in the right spot? Did you have the Heads milled flat?

Dec 9, 2008 | 11:46 PM

LM97Z

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First check too see if theres pressure building in the coolant system, now are you sure its coolant, or could it be oil. read all the plugs & see if any look different, also, is it missing at all?

Dec 10, 2008 | 02:06 AM

robsquikz28

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wow white smoke huh! i agree with merv ^ do you even know if they are???also what about the back of coolant pipe that runs behind the head any problems there or in the head area itself.....psi test as well and find out where its going

Dec 10, 2008 | 02:22 AM

the_merv

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Yea, did you guys put the Steam Tube on?

Did you get new Gaskets, or re-use the ones that you pulled the Heads off of?

Dec 10, 2008 | 07:15 AM

vicalma03

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From: Spring, TX

Had the heads surfaced, used new head bolts and head gaskets, and yes the external coolant line is in place. I'll have to check the plugs and I'll see if there is pressure builing up in the coolant system. I did notice the external coolant line has a slight leak from the passenger side head. I'm going to replace the washer/seal. It has a slight miss as well. Not really noticable but its there.