[88mustang5.0]

I am new to this and have a couple issues. My 88 gt is blowing white smoke out of both exhaust pipes which I assume is either a blown head gasket or a cracked head. But after sitting there and idling for 5 to 10 minutes my engine revs up and than back down on its own and starts to sound like its going to die. Also I been smelling a lot of gas like its running rich. Any help would be great thanks

 

[Billymich]

STOP RUNNING IT RIGHT AWAY!
check your coolant level

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

If you smell coolant in the exhaust its time to tear off the intake, get down to the heads and see if you have a blown gasket or cracked heads, chances are you're overheating and may need new heads...

 

[88mustang5.0]

Alright I was afraid of that because I don't think that is something I can quite do yet. It sounds like a pretty big job. Might also be a good time to upgrade.

 

[Billymich]

Alright I was afraid of that because I don't think that is something I can quite do yet. It sounds like a pretty big job. Might also be a good time to upgrade.

The exact same thing happened to me 3 days after buying my car. Heads overheated and warped, until redoing all that the most I had done were oil changes on a Bimmer (easiest thing ever) It was my first learning/starting point I'd be happy to help any way I can!

 

[88mustang5.0]

That's about how I am. Oil changes, belt , alternator. I'm comfortable doing light auto work but I'm leaning more towards doing this myself. A shop would probably ask close to a thousand to do it. I appreciate the help and when I finally man up and do it I'm sure ill have more questions

 

[Billymich]

Yeah, of course. It was frustrating and took longer than I should, but now I am learning more and more every day. You gotta start somewhere I did it like 2-3 months ago. LMK if you want some help or advice, and don't drive it if you don't absolutely have to, It will only make things worse.

 

[keaton5.0]

Go ahead and do it yourself. Its not too bad of a job if you just take your time. Pick up a chilton manual for your car and we will also be glad to help with whatever you need.

 

[88mustang5.0]

It's staying right where it's at until I fix it. Im sure it will take me a weekend to get that done. I was looking on the Internet earlier and reading about how it could be a cracked block and that got me worried

---------- Post added at 07:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:04 PM ----------

Go ahead and do it yourself. Its not too bad of a job if you just take your time. Pick up a chilton manual for your car and we will also be glad to help with whatever you need.

Alright I'll do that and thanks for both your help. I should have found this app sooner

 

[dreamstang]

i would do a compression test amd leak down test first thing before i tore anything apart. i would do it on all cylinders. chances are you have major issues. but this will confirm and tell you what cylinder/s the problem lies.

 

[Billymich]

It's staying right where it's at until I fix it. Im sure it will take me a weekend to get that done. I was looking on the Internet earlier and reading about how it could be a cracked block and that got me worried

---------- Post added at 07:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:04 PM ----------



Alright I'll do that and thanks for both your help. I should have found this app sooner

I had/have a Haynes manual I thought it was good, but I haven't seen a Chiltons. Plan on It taking longer... **** goes wrong, you may need to have your heads shaved by a machine shop, if they overheated and warped, make sure to get a good gasket kit and replace everything that you take off. would be a good time to do spark plugs, replace all your vacuum lines, but be aware, some are molded plastic and need to be bought from ford probably, flush your coolant best you can. you will need an oil change, oil filter, and make sure you have a timing light to redo your timing. LABEL EVERTHING, take pictures, or videos keep it organized, never trust your memory. You will need new Head bolts as they stretch. Make you have a torque wrench. It will be easier to do if you have help.

---------- Post added at 06:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:14 PM ----------

i would do a compression test amd leak down test first thing before i tore anything apart. i would do it on all cylinders. chances are you have major issues. but this will confirm and tell you what cylinder/s the problem lies.

+1 also message me if you get stuck and need some help you can send me picks and I'll give some advice... I wish I had more help when I did it.

 

[Matt90lx]

When I did mine I used zip lock bags and a sharpie to bag and label all the bolts as they came out, it helped a ton with reassembly. Put little notes if needed in the bag too, like the location of a shorter bolt so you aren't fishing around trying to find the right hole

 

[88mustang5.0]

That's a good idea and I appreciate everyone's help. I ordered one of those manuals online for the 88 gt so I can have something to go by. The only thing that I'm worried about is if there is something else cracked or messed up I won't be able to identify it. I might send my heads off to a shop

 

[keaton5.0]

I don't know what your plans for the car are, but if you were planning on more power now would be a good time to upgrade to better heads if you can afford it. That's assuming the heads are your only issue

 

[88mustang5.0]

I probably won't be able to upgrade this go around. I wish this happened later when I get my tax return. I'm planning on lower and upper intake with better heads but we'll see. I'd also like to take the 4.10's out and put in 3.73's

 

[keaton5.0]

Im kind of in the same boat. I think next years tax return will get me my new heads. Why don't you like the 4.10s?

 

[88mustang5.0]

I like them but I think they are just a little too high. I'd like a little more top end. 3.73's from what I heard is a good balance. I could be wrong and hate them if I do change.

 

[keaton5.0]

I havent ran 4.10s but i wouldnt think you would really notice much difference going down to 3.73. If you are going to change them out i would go with 3.55s. Then you would see a difference in top end and still have good acceleration. Alot of the automatic guys like 4.10s. The manuals usually go with 3.55s or 3.73s

 

[Billymich]

I havent ran 4.10s but i wouldnt think you would really notice much difference going down to 3.73. If you are going to change them out i would go with 3.55s. Then you would see a difference in top end and still have good acceleration. Alot of the automatic guys like 4.10s. The manuals usually go with 3.55s or 3.73s

I have 4.10s with a t-5. I like them a lot when driving in the city, but stop and go traffic is a pain. Highway accel is nice.

 

[keaton5.0]

I have 4.10s with a t-5. I like them a lot when driving in the city, but stop and go traffic is a pain. Highway accel is nice.

Should get some pretty decent mpg's in the city if you drive normal, but thats pretty hard to do in a mustang lol

 

[LAS97GT]

When I did mine I used zip lock bags and a sharpie to bag and label all the bolts as they came out, it helped a ton with reassembly. Put little notes if needed in the bag too, like the location of a shorter bolt so you aren't fishing around trying to find the right hole

+1. I used zip locks and a sharpie pen then taped bolts to like parts.