The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 issues

My 41 every time I start it spits some water out the exaust and I thought it was just condensation build up, but now I discovered it is spitting a couple table spoons or so of oil out that breather on the side when I stop it to the point now it's low. Also my radiator has a little water come out the overflow.

It is running fine, not running hot at all and it's oil pressure seems alright. The oil it is spitting out has a little bit of milky white color to it but not much.

Do you guys know what I'm dealing with? I'm concerned it's head gasket but I don't know.

Engines with an open crankcase ventilation system (road draft tube and vented valve cover, etc.) have a habit of getting some condensation built up in the crankcase unless they're brought up to normal operating temperature and driven for several miles frequently. I would not be concerned with a little water from the tailpipe- - - -burning any hydrocarbon fuel produces water vapor as a normal byproduct and some of it is going to condense in the exhaust system on engine shutdown. Unless you're getting bluish-colored blowby gases puffing from the road draft tube along with the oil drip, just keep an eye on the dipstick and add a little oil occasionally. Your truck is just "marking its territory"!

When a Harley-Davidson or a Detroit Diesel quits leaking, add more oil quick- - - -it's empty!
Jerry

Ok good to hear, that's fine I just wanted to make sure the ole girl wasn't trying to tell me something
Thanks Jerry:)

Sounds like SOP for an old 216. My 49 216 does similar during the winter months. Your probably getting that milky buildup on the bottom of the oil filler cap too. Like HRL says, condensation is the most likely cause and you'll get it more so in cold weather.
To try to combat condensation I went to a 180 thermostat, installed a PCV valve in the draft pipe, went to a vented oil filler cap and plugged up the vents in the valve cover and I still got condensation build up in the cold winter months.
You'll want to keep your oil changed at no more than 3k mile intervals.

re. oil drips. If you see a 216 that isn't dripping oil, you better check it as it's out of oil LOL

Dave

Ok Thanks Dave! I'm glad it's not an issue

I really miss my old 216 that I had in a '52. I remember after a long drive, coming to a stop, pop the hood and watch the vapors wafting out through the vents in the valve cover just as designed.
You need to start driving your truck more like you stole it rather than trying to baby it so that you won't break something. They were designed to be worked hard at a high RPM. This will cook the water (condensation) out of the crankcase.
Carl

I love that engine too, so east to work on. And when I run her I her good but it's been a few weeks since I drove it. I'm gettin into driving her more though.
Is it just me or do those engines have a different smell than most? It might be me but I've always thought it smelled good

What your smelling is the by products of combustion blowby venting out of the valve cover vents and then being blown towards the cab by the fan. Those fumes have all sorts of ways to get into your cab due to the worn out rubber seals. I doubt they ever sealed perfectly in the 1st place LOL.

I find that I have to occasionally crack open a window after running the engine hard to clear the cab LOL.

I can't count the folks that have remarked when checking out the interior of my 49 say that they remembered that "smell" back when their fathers or others would ride them in their trucks.

My Mrs can tell when I've been on a long cruise by my smell LOL