white smoke and fuel smell

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78k10revival

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Hey guys I have a 78 k10 with a 350 all original. I just bought the truck replaced all distributor components I am having white smoke that smells very fuel rich was wondering if vacuum leaks can cause this if not how can I adjust the qjet to make this go away. Thanks in advance. Bryan
 

87ChevyR10

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Hey guys I have a 78 k10 with a 350 all original. I just bought the truck replaced all distributor components I am having white smoke that smells very fuel rich was wondering if vacuum leaks can cause this if not how can I adjust the qjet to make this go away. Thanks in advance. Bryan

White smoke indicates burning coolant and it smells sweet. Generally, if there is too much fuel being dumped, it'll be black smoke and smell like rotten eggs if your truck still has a catalyst; and of course, oil is blue smoke and smells like oil.
 

78k10revival

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Right. Well this isn't a sweet or oil smell no catalyst. It's he rich fuel smell that almost makes ur eyes water
 

Georgeb

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Usually you should see black smoke from too rich not white but either way I would be checking for an issue with the carb. Is the choke functioning correctly? if the float my be stuck or something is lodged in the needle. Next could be a really leaky well plug for the fuel bowl or the main jets for the primaries could be stuck open.
 

GregL

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Bryan,
As others have said here, white smoke is usually an indicator of coolant in the combustion chamber. Quick and positive test for this, if you have access to anyone with a scope that has an exhaust analyzer (the probe that fits in the tail pipe). Remove the radiator cap when the truck is up to temp and use the probe to sniff the steam coming from the radiator. If there are any hydrocarbons present, there is no question, either a head gasket is gone or there is an internal crack somewhere. If there are no hydrocarbons present in the cooling system, at least you have ruled this part out.
Greg
 

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