What does the white smoke mean?

[no_treble]

I just put a new MSD dist. and coil on a 69 302. I started it and moved the distributor around until the timing sounded right then clamped it down, since I don't have a timing light (will need to get timing checked correctly soon). It runs pretty good but with a slightly higher than normal idle, but if I move the distributor any more the other direction the idle slows dramatically and it runs very rough.

The truck has true dual exhaust, and the right side is shooting out a fair amount of white smoke. The left side is only puffing out a slight amount. Before the distributor swap, it never did this, so I figure it has something to do with my timing. This is my first dist. swap... does bad timing cause white smoke? I haven't triple-checked to ensure I have the right firing order yet, but I've made that mistake before and it doesn't sound like the wrong firing order this time...

Thanks for any advise.

[JMcTurnan]

Hmm let me think, white smoke usually means coolant right? Can anyone back me up?

[91Bear]

Sounds right.

[cep62]

Maybe the truck needs to warmed up , if it's cold out or if the truck hasn't run much it could be moisture in the pipes.

[FORDification]

White smoke - coolant
Blue smoke - oil
Black smoke - excessive fuel

None of these conditions can be caused by simply swapping a distributor, regardless of whether the timing or firing order isn't right...it had to be a pre-existing condition. White smoke would tend to indicate coolant getting into the combustion chamber, usually from a blown head gasket, and usually the small piece in-between two adjacent cylinders. When the engine's running, pop the radiator cap and look down inside...do you see bubbles?

cep62 is correct though...sometimes excess condensation inside the exhaust system getting burned out can give off some white smoke, but usually not for very long. If the smoke continues after the engine is fully warmed up, I'd consider doing a compression check and check for a leaking head gasket.

[fordman]

white smoke can be blue but it looks white.

[no_treble]

Well, you guys were right on the money.

I was disconnecting two different events because I didn't see the white smoke after the first set of upgrades, just before I started the second set. My first upgrade was a new intake and carb, and a quick start up showed that it at least ran OK, but I didn't see the smoke if it was there. Then the truck sat for about four weeks due to too much other stuff going on. So when I got back on it and put the MSD dist/coil in and started her up again to check the timing, that's when I noticed it was running rough and spent more time letting it run and moving the dist. around, and that's when I saw the white smoke. I guess during my intake swap I spilled coolant in there and didn't notice it.

Anyway, after a fresh oil/filter change (and there was a little coolant in the used oil), I started it again to check and no white smoke. I let it run for a while to reset the timing with my brand-spanking-new timing light I brought home this afternoon , and still no white smoke.

So thanks for the solid expertise everybody. Maybe one of these days I'll graduate from the "just-know-enough-to-be-dangerous" phase... hopefully...

[DGrant09]

"just-know-enough-to-be-dangerous" phase...

At least your out there trying and by the sounds of it - getting some nice mods done.

As for your phrase - I honestly believe I am a permanent student of that class and now a days I find it rather fun, never a dull moment!