[color:"red"] Please see post down the page for cylinder 1 not firing problem! [/color]

Hey all -

Finally finished getting everything back together today after a complete rebuild of the block and head. Couldn't get it started at first but realized the timing was off and then it fired right up.

After running for a few minutes, around the time it starts to warm up, I get smoke coming off the exhaust manifold. Seems like its only coming out from under the manifold shield, and it seems to be drifting up rather than blowing out like you'd expect from a leak. It was getting late and I didn't want to keep running it without the exhaust on (only has the manifold and y-pipe).

Can anyone tell me if it is common/normal for it to smoke a bit after a rebuild? It didn't look like there was smoke coming out of the end of the exhaust... only from under heat shield on the manifold. I'm wondering if it could be the new gaskets? Any thoughts?

When you first start a new engine its normal for it to smoke some, there is oil in the cylinders and on the head and other places that will burn off when the engine is first started. it should clear up after a few minutes of running.

Yeah, between assembly lube and antiseize compound, they'll smoke while burning off. Congrats on the rebuild! Feels good, huh? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

When I first cranked mine after I rebuilt, I got smoke coming off of my headers. Scaredt he piss outta me. Then Ireally it was just oil/crap that had accumulated there. unless you are a super duper anal guy about being clean and tidy, inevitably there's oil that's run down the head, or assembly lube as mentioned, at the very least (esp if you have headers) oil from your hands or leftover greae that'll be on the manifold or head just from handling it.
The big quetion is - is it still doing it after running awhile.

Perfectly normal. Even after I just did the new head on mine, it smoked like there was a fire. The exh. manifold got hosed down in WD40 and all sorts of other fluids got everywhere, so it smoked for a good 10 mins during the initial warmup cycle.

Well I've been absolutely anal about cleaning/keeping everything clean during the rebuild so I don't think there was a bunch of oil on the manifold when I put it back on.

I ran it twice yesterday for 5-10 mins. each time and both times it started smoking after a couple minutes. Then smoke continues to rise from the manifold for a while after I shut it off.

Probably being paranoid about nothing here, but after the amount of time and money I put into the motor I didn't want to ignore it if it shouldn't be happening. Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll post up again after a while with an update.

Did you paint the manifold? Even hi-temp paint will burn off to an extent. It will smoke. I'd also check for a coolant or oil leak. If it is something that wrong you will see a puddle in the driveway. Also, don't assume you kept everything clean since just touching it can get enough residue there to make it burn off on a hot exhaust manifold. If you find nothing wrong let it run for 30 minutes.

it haappened to me too let it run for a bit and see where it is really coming from. i thought my alt was frying but it wasn'nt.

Turns out I had a coolant pipe dripping/splashing on the pipe just under the manifold. All is well.

Thanks again for the help guys!

I figured I'd post a couple pics now that everything is back together.