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1965 with 302, exhaust smell and smoke issues

Namvet

New Member
Hi, this is my first post so bear with me. I recently picked up a '65 coupe with a 302 and in spite of the fact that I would like to get the front end squared away first I should probably prioritize the issues and go down the list. The engine had a Victor Jr. Intake which I have switched out for a 2121. It has a 650 CFM Holley. Right now the biggest problem is that I get an exhaust smell in the car while driving. Not real bad but it is there. Could this relate to the fact that I have a bigger carb than I need? It seems to have a mild cam in it but what the duration is I do not know. The previous owner put a lot of money in the car but didn't really seem to know a lot about it. Mostly BS. Also I get white smoke on acceleration. Probably getting it while cruising but don't notice it because it is too thin. I fixed any coolant leaks but I still think I might be losing some.
I am happy with the car as the body and undercarriage are rock solid, everything appears to be original on the outside. I live in FL but it still makes me wonder where it has been all these years. I would like to use it as my daily driver which means I have a lot to do and it won't get done overnight.
Thanks for any input I get and I am glad that I found this sight.
 
Is your exhaust leak free? I had a donut let go and got exhaust smell in the car. I've heard that it can come in the shifter hole if the boot is torn, or the trunk if the weather stripping is shot.

White smoke and losing water? head gasket?
 
As stated, triple check your exhaust system for leaks before you delve into anything else. Where do your exhaust tip(s) exit from the car?
 
HI Namvet!! Welcome and congratulations on your Stang! Though I'm not an expert on Mustangs(yet!), I've acquired some decent knowledge, but I have to agree with Midpak~ is your exhaust leakfree? Plug up your tailpipe and see if it's tight/holding pressure or is the exhaust being directed up through the possible rust holes(not saying your stang is rust free, oh, just read your stang is rock solid~ doah! ), even the windows,doors suck in exhaust! I wish I were there, I could fix your stang! :craz I guess you could make sure the motor ventilation is working properly,(pcv valve, leaking valve cover gaskets, etc, then smoke making its way into the passenger area? I wouldn't think it would have to do with a larger CFM carb unless it's running really rich?

I love your comment, "makes me wonder where it has been all these years", it's been around for a while and been on a lot of roads, had a few flats here and there, I always wanted to seek out the previous owners of mine to find out its unique past, but eh! lol

oh, pictures? where are the pictures??? The GAllery is a neat place to post photos as you can upload photos directly from your computer!!
dne'
 
Ditto on the exhaust system check. If you're consistently having white smoke and water loss you're gonna be looking at a gasket issue with either the head gasket or intake. Did you have this issue before you swapped intakes? BTW, welcome to the dark side.
 
Hey, thanks for the input. Yeah I had the smell when I first drove it home. Pulled in the driveway, started checking and realized the PCV wasn't hooked up. Put a hose on it to the carb and got rid of most of it. Get this, I started to locate the dipstick to check the oil, guess what, there was no dipstick. Called the previous owner up and asked him what was going on and his reply was that there were three lights on the dash and when certain colors went on, it told you what level your oil was at. So I asked him why he didn't put one in and he said that it was a high volume oil pump and that the pressure would blow the dipstick out, so he plugged the hole. Well I unplugged the hole put a dipstick in and haven't had any problems. I still cannot find the lights he was talking about. Good tip on plugging the exhaust, it has been so long since I fooled around with engines that I forgot that one. It has dual exhausts with Headman's on it and the tailpipes go out the back.
I know that the smoke is probably from the heads, at least I hope so, so I will be going into that.
One more thing, it is a 302 with a deep oil sump, does it take five quarts of oil or six. I know what you're thinking.
The darkside is the perfect place for me.
 
Plugging the exhaust should cause the engine to die, but it'll take a few seconds to do so, but you may try using this method to (quickly) find any obvious exhaust leaks.

High volume oil pumps don't usually cause dipstick's to jump out of the tube. They normally pump more "volume", not create more "pressure".

Based upon this statement alone, don't put any stock in anything your previous owner has told you. lol

Can you get a picture of the pan for us? If it truly is a deep sump pan it should be 7 quarts, but we'd know for sure with a picture.


White smoke on startup usually equates to worn valve guides and static oil running down valve stems onto the tops of the pistons. White smoke while you're accelerating is more likely the result of worn cylinders/rings. This is "if" the white smoke is oil and not water.
 
I should add that it starts easily, whether hot or cold, idles smoothly, no hesitation at all, and just runs great otherwise.
 
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