No carb heat...well, that eliminates the potential for a water heat leak into a cracked intake manifold. A tiny leak wouldn't drain your radiator or cause enough pressure to blow water out of the radiator.

You might try 4onthefloors suggestion about sticking back on your 1bbl....you'll have to swap the mounting studs as the originals were too long for the adaptor. However, I've used 3 of Tom's carbs and they were near perfect right out of the box. I presume you used the alignment rings on the intake so you wouldn't have an intake leak? He's 100% right about limiting your addition of stuff....sure makes it easier to eliminate problems. The rod you mentioned...a push rod...exhaust or intake valve? Hydraulic lifters or solids?

You didn't mention whether or not it idled smooth after cranking up....it didn't smoke until you accelerated...under a load or just idling? Please go back through and make sure you have answered the questions! Long distance diagnosis on a weird problem like this is tough. The more info you can supply will help out a bunch!!! I still think the gray/white smoke is moisture related.

Dave


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