I'm not gonna get freaked out yet because there is no water in the crankcase and I can't smell antifreeze and can't detect any leaks, but I don't think I got a headgasket problem (although I know that's only one indication).

When I fire her up, for the first few minutes, she runs clean and then starts spewing white smoke - not enough to fill a room, but enough to clearly see. When I saw this at the shop before I picked up the car, the mechanic said it's been raining and the humidity is high and the 870 has been set up to run pretty rich because of the victor manifold - whatever that means.

BUT - I can see the drops of water spitting out the end of the exhaust and the tips are black as night already.

I can already tell the plugs are starting to foul - only 50 miles or so on the engine since I got it back. The guy warned me about the rich set up. So....in the opinion of those that know best, am I looking at a manifold change? It wouldn't bother me THAT much, but figured I throw the whole thing out and see what you guys think.

BTW, gotta get the final firewall plate made and then I can mount the 6AL which mr. mechanic says will help a lot with the rich burn. Problem is, I don't want to melt my heads! (I know that's not possible, but you know what I mean with the too hot spark and all).

Best,

Mike

I would say don't worry about it unless it continues after the vehicle is completely warmed up. with cooler weather mine will do the same, once it is up to operataing temp it will dissapte. As for your Rich condition that can be adjusted with the carb i wouldn't condem anything yet, your mechanic should have been able to take care of that for you if he is compatant.

Water is a common byproduct of combustion. As stated erlier,all engines will emmit water out of the tail pipes until the exhaust is fully warmed up...then it will emmit water as a vapor so you will not notice it.

If the gasoline is not fully burning (too rich) then there will be LESS water exiting and more Raw fuel...

Now If the water comming out of the tail pipe is Green...there may be some problems that need to be delt with (obviously)

If the air is saturated with water then there will also be more water in the exhaust and a poorer combustion...whether or not it is noticable, I don't know.

Whew! You guys are awsome. Yes, the air is saturated here - it's so darn humid, stainless steel will rust in 30 seconds flat ;)

The moisture does stop after the car is completely warmed up. And get this. The cooling is so good on this beast, I can't get her to run over 180 no matter what! Those bypass coolant hoses we ran to the back of the heads really did the trick. That, the Becool radiator and the Zirgo fan. Pretty awesome.

Best regards,