Topic: Smoke, smoke and more smoke!!
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Momence, IL - USA
Joined: 3/11/2008
Posts: 28
Vette(s): 1977 Corvette Coupe
Light Corvette Blue
1978 with a lot of miles, no mods done as far as i know. Anyone have any ideas of what might be causing it to billow out smoke at take off from a stop light. It smokes all the time but it is really bad when you have ideled for a few miniets. I am thinking that it might need a ring job but I am hoping someone else hase some easier ides. Thanks guys. Mike
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What color is the smoke? Have you been using up oil or coolant?
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
Yeah, watch your OIL (like a hawk)...........what kind of oil are you using? How often do you change it?
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
Before I bought it, my '79 L-48 sat in a barn for three years without being started at all. It did what you described.
I had the valve guide seals redone and it did away with all of that. Plus, while we were in there, we adjusted the rocker arms and that was an improvement too.
Hope this is helpful.
P.S. Clean Oil and more Clean Oil!!!
Former Member
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Momence, IL - USA
Joined: 3/11/2008
Posts: 28
Vette(s): 1977 Corvette Coupe
Light Corvette Blue
I think my neighbor said black smoke. Not sure what oil he is using, nor am i sure when it was last changed. He says that it does it with 5w30, 10w30, 10w40, 20w50 and 30. He says that is does it mostly when you have been at a stoplight and ideling. I also noticed that he has some horriable valve train noise. I am going to see about getting it up to my shop and give it a good engine flush.
Check your oil to see if there is a possible head gasket problem with white smoke. If blue smoke valve seals or more serious rings.
Black smoke could be fuel. Maybe the carb needs a rebuild. Sticky floats?
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I'm with Brian...black smoke is indicative of too rich fuel...probably flooding if it is that bad. Also, if the carb is leaking out of the bottom with the engine off, it will dump all of the fuel out of the fuel bowl, and cause a heavy black smoke startup.
Sounds like a carb issue to me, if it is indeed black smoke. If it was burning that much oil, it would be obvious...you'd have to fill it with oil quite often...
Sounds like a carb issue to me, if it is indeed black smoke. If it was burning that much oil, it would be obvious...you'd have to fill it with oil quite often...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Engines
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