<VV> Basic Mechanics (No Specific Vair content)

[Robert Henry]

I've seen this sort of thing before. Leaking head gasket. After 15 minutes
the engine is getting hot enough for the rising coolant pressure to push
water into the combustion chamber. Pull the plugs and inspect for signs of
water. If you could keep it running long enough you might see signs of
exhaust in the coolant but at this stage of warmup it's going the other way.

Of course, this can't happen with a Corvair. <g>

Robert Henry
'65 Corsa Convertible

> -----Original Message-----
> From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org [mailto:virtualvairs-
> bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Wilson
> Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 6:57 PM
> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
> Subject: <VV> Basic Mechanics (No Specific Vair content)
> 
> Argh! Help! What's going on?
> 
> So I was persuing my *other* automotive obsession the other
> day... starting up my favorite 57 Chevy station wagon.
> 
> I haven't driven it in a while, but I make sure and start and
> run it for a while, at least every month or so, to keep things
> lubricated, etc.
> 
> So it starts real easy- the motor (original 283) was rebuilt
> just a year ago, has maybe a few hundred miles on it so  far.
> 
> Runs good for circa 15 minutes, then starts backfiring thru
> the tailpipe like crazy!
> 
> Pop, pop, pop... BAM!
> 
> So just shut it down.
> 
> What the hell's going on?!
> 
> Another troublesome symptom- it's blowing LOTS of thick WHITE
> smoke thru just one tailpipe. Other tailpipie blows a little
> blue smoke, but just a little. Only one tailpipie (the white
> smoker) backfires!
> 
> No bubbling in the radiator (yet).
> 
> I'm wondering- could I just be mis-firing on one head and spewing
> unburnt gas into the exhausts that accumulate then ignite?
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> CJ Wilson