New header gasket now water from tailpipe?

[Derek dishon]

Hello glad to be aboard. I installed a new gasket on my exhaust headers it sounds better but now there is water dripping from tailpipe with light smoke. It didn't do that before the new gasket. Is this normal?

 

[Rusty Nail]

Water is the by-product of combustion.
That's a sign that your engine is well-tuned! I imagine the header gaskets (or whatever) were leaking and thus robbing you of the opportunity to SEE some reward of your efforts in the form of water from the tailpipe(s).
Rest easy man, your truck is apparently doing very well and she's happy. Crying with joy!

 

[Derek dishon]

Thank you that makes me feel better. I just bought 1984 c20. Changed flushed all fluids, spark plugs, belts replaced got a new quadrajet carb. It seems to be running great now. And just got into checking the headers gaskets and they were shot. It didn't even have gaskets where the headers connect to exhaust pipes. Its amazing how much quieter in the cab now.

 

[Rusty Nail]

The "smoke" you referenced is water condensation (dew) inside of the exhaust / mufflers that forms overnight. It goes away in short order after she gets warmed up...right?

Water is how "oldschools" tune carburetors. Turn the base idle screws in or out until the exhaust starts dripping water and that's pretty close to perfect!

I couldn't help but notice that there aren't any pics of the '84, what gives?

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

X2 that it’s nothing to be concerned with.

 

[Charlie]

 

[74 Shortbed]

Welcome aboard.

 

[rpcraft]

As long as it doesn't turn into a huge cloud of white smoke and goes away after a bit it shouldn't be anything to worry about. Depending on how bad the exhaust leak was it is probably burning off excess moisture initially but then when it gets over 212 degrees along it should steam off after a while.

 

[Derek dishon]

Thank you all

 

[1973c10]

Welcome to the site