On initial start up I did, more like a steam instead of smoke because it evaporated quickly. By the time I pulled onto the main road from private drive (200 yards) it would be gone. I know the leak wasnt very old since I had assembled and installed the engine only 7 months prior pulling the head. My guesstimates were it cracked out probably a week or so prior to my noticing a problem. In fact I know the problem was fresh because the cracks are almost impossible to see...so I didnt give them time to grow...and believe me once cracked the hole will grow.
Corrosion failures and head gasket failures tend to happen suddenly while a cracks seems to develop over time.
If ya have any specific questions feel free to ask. Oh and by the way...there was NO sign of trouble on the spark plugs- another clue that it was a fresh injury.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

*Hey now...no kissing of my assets is required or desired here! lol Thanks for the words of encouragement! Not hearing where or how your old truck is sounds like a good sign to me. They probably did one of them 391 point checks on it prior to re-listing it and discovered a few things. Then it was just a matter of loading it onto a Gypsy truck for relocating out of the area! lol Bet you are loving that new truck..although looking under the hood couls cause nightmares.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

I had brown smoke by itsself rust internal,at leastthats what i found.

Yeah I don't think I'll be doing much self repair to this truck anytime.Looks a little complicated.

Ok, I ran a compression test last night.....but I'm an idiot......I forgot to set it at WOT <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />. I was all done and grabing a bite to eat and thought "sh*t", I didn't do it right. So, does anyone know if the readings I got are accurate even though I didn't set it at WOT? If they are going to be off, I'll redo it tonight.

And, of course I forgot my readings at home this morning <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. But, off the top of my head, running a dry test all cylinders were between 170 and 185psi. Running a wet test (adding a little oil to the cylinder), all cylinders were between 185-195psi. So, the compression test didn't turn up anything too bad. I'm guessing a good bit of carbon buildup, but nothing really out of whack. However, the #3 spark plug had fresh, wet oil on it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. The rest (which I just changed the other day) were similar looking.

I will post up the exact readings this evening. Please comment on what you think may be going on and if you think I should redo the test because of I didn't have it at WOT. If the test was accurate, I'm thinking valves.

bump......does anyone know if running a compression test without keeping the throttle open will result in skewed numbers?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> With them numbers Im afraid to see the results of a test with WOT!! Blocking open the throttle simulates operating conditions and ensuring that all cylinders are grabbing from an equal amount of air. Generally with WOT the numbers will be slightly higher. The main thing is making sure that the engine is warm when doing the test so any cracks can be detected before they seal up when cold. Your numbers are amazing....Wonder if the head has ever been surfaced? Anyways...for peace of mind go ahead and redo the test. Do each cylinder twice and make sure to have all 4 plugs pulled along with WOT.

Fresh oil on the plug could be a few things...more than likely valve stem seal. If there was a significant amount on the end of the plug...pull your valve cover and hunker down with a flashlight and try to see if the #3 exhaust valve seal is off the guide or angled...or even beat up.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again. The engine was warm and everything was done textbook, except not at WOT <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />. I will redo the test tonight and see what I get.

I had a head pressure tested once @ the machine shop & fluid was leaking every where like a tiny sponge. Aluminum gets porous over time with the heating & cooling & especially if its ever gets overheated. Coolant will pass through these pores real slowly & you sometimes just burn it. Just a thought to ponder. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

The results of the compression test are:
#1 - 185
#2 - 178
#3 - 184
#4 - 184
The night before when I did the test, but forgot to hold the throttle open I got:
183, 170, 184, 180.
When I added a little oil to the cylinders, I got:
191, 185, 196, 189.

I'd say these numbers are pretty good, what do you think? Truck is an 85 with 143k miles. Motor specs are standard psi of 171 and minimum of 128. So, compression is a little high, I am guessing from carbon buildup. From looking at the plugs before and after doing a tune up, I'd say there is a lot of "dirt" in the motor.

The truck still hasn't made it onto all 4 wheels yet, but after I get it rolling, I plan on driving it around a little and then adding a "tune up" in a bottle <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />. I am thinking I'll add some not-so-potent engine flush, dropping the pan while I'm at it to clean out any goop. Also, I'd like to add something to the fuel to clean the upper end.

After this, I'll see what I'm left with. I am thinking the problem may be the valves, especially considering the fresh oil found on plug #3. What do you all think? Lets pretend its just the valves and that my motor flushes don't do more harm than good, would you recommend running a heavier weight oil like 20W-40 (as suggested by my repair manual)?