The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rebuild After-Effects Question

Hey guys, as some of you know, a while back I rebiult a 305sbc out of a '77 nova, that is currently in my '73 chevy 1/2 ton. Ok, after I have been driving the truck for maybe 5-10 minutes, I turn the engine off and pop the hood. Smoke starts to come up both sides of the motor, is this just the exhaust manifold gaskets that are smokin, or maybe something left on the motor from when it was cleaned. Or would it be the exhaust manifolds that are smoking. I know that there really is no way of telling without personally seeing it, so get over here and take a look! Just kidding, but maybe you could give me a few ideas. The smell smells like burning oil, i am thinking it is oil that is on the manifolds, but I dont know the likely answer.

I alos got a new Chrome Harmonic Balancer for it for $38 bucks off ebay! What a price, and it now spins perfectly and it doesnt wobble like the original one (wore out). Other things to note are, there isnt one leak on this baby that I know of so far, and this is my first rebuild, ive done it! Ok, so I am bragging. The only other problem I am having is a knocking/clicking noise coming from the passenger side of the engine, this I am not to fond of. I have been told it might be an exhaust leak, but I have heard the noise with a stethascope, and it sounds like its something internally, cause I can hear it on the block, heads, and exhaust manifold. Not a good sign.

Anyway, give me some advice/help/ideas if possible, thanks!

- Shane

OK, you're well on the way to becoming a successful wrench jockey! A little smoke from the manifolds is normal after a rebuild, it's just those greasy handprints you left on them burning off. If it continues for any length of time, there's a valve cover leak. Even a small one will put enough oil on the manifolds to cause a smoke problem, and smallblock V-8's are notorious for developing seep leaks at the valve covers. Did you straighten the valve cover flanges before bolting them down with the new gaskets? If not, do it now. Where the bolts tighten, they will cause a dimple to form in the cover, and that's the only place any squeeze will be put on the gasket. The result is a seep leak between the bolt holes. Pull the covers, rest them upside down on a hard, flat surface like a piece of angle iron, and tap the dimples down flat with a small hammer. Use a very small layer of RTV sealer on both sides of a CORK, not rubber gasket when you reinstall them. You could also use a set of "spreaders", flat steel shims that fit between the bolts and the covers, to widen the area of squeeze of the bolts. Most parts stores will have them in their hot rod parts area.

The ticking noise is probably a slightly loose valve lifter. Run it a while, then readjust the rocker arms. Overall, it sounds like ya done good!
Jerry

Is the right rear exhaust manifold bolt in place? The 305 small blocks had an offset manifold bolt that requires a 305 manifold. If there's no bolt there, you probably have an exhaust leak. Also, if you are running cast iron manifolds, lose the gaskets.
good luck,
Scott

Ok, my Dad flatened the valve covers out for me, and I do have the spreaders you are atlking about on there, and I dont see any leaks around the valve covers. Also, the manifolds are them old stock rusty looking things, I would love to put headers on, but dont have the money for that right now. I am thinking that the clicking sound is something with the rocket arms as you mentioned, cause I havent adjusted them yet, doh. I will have to wait until my dad gets back and we will do that together, I dont know how to do that myself. Thanks for the help you crazy bolters !!

- Shane

Look at the exhuast manifold on the passenger side,there is a heat riser valve, it has a spring on it and the spring may be broken causing the valve to flop around. This could be yje sound you are hearing, are the valves may be loose.

Well, the exhaust manifold on the passenger side doesnt have a heat riser, and there arent any fittings or anything on it. I figure its the valves/rockers that are doing it, because i can move a couple of them easily, so their a little loose. Other than tat everything should be ok. Thanks for the help guys!

- Shane