LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

cracked block, leaking head or what?

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Old Jul 29, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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Default cracked block, leaking head or what?

A 94 LT1 with these symtoms: radiator has continous bubbles, (with radiator cap off while idling), exhaust has small amount of "white smoke", engine oil is NOT milky, observed "steam" or "smoke" coming from what appears topside of intake manifold, however, car overheats to 260 degree's, and coolant resevoir boils over. Added 2 gallons of water & coolant in last 2 days. What do you (s) think is culprit?.
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Old Jul 29, 2009 | 09:49 PM
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Bled the cooling system properly any time you added fluid, right?
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Old Jul 30, 2009 | 01:07 AM
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its a head gasket,cause your getting air into one or more off the cylinders causing bubbles out the radiator and burning white smoke usually means coolant burning.
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Old Jul 30, 2009 | 08:39 AM
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X2 on the Head Gasket.
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Old Jul 30, 2009 | 08:59 AM
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Definitely eliminate the simple things first. This does sound like a common blown head gasket problem. Cracked blocks have been rarely reported. Only real head problems I've ever seen on the boards is from over zealous head porters...
A blown head gasket can usually be easily spotted. The popular areas are on cylinders 7 and 8. Take your plugs out and see which one(s) of them are the cleanest. Then when taking your heads off, concentrate on those cylinders examining the head gasket closely. Usually it is extremely obvious, but there are times where the gasket looks normal.

Last edited by SS RRR; Jul 30, 2009 at 09:05 AM.
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