Triumph Repair: Smoking triumph gt6 engine, pale grey color, head gasket leak

Question
I have just rebuilt my gt6 engine, I have installed new County pistons and rings. I had the cylinder head reconditioned by an engineering firm. My problem is that it is smoking, it is a very pale grey color, almost white. Can you suggest the cause of this smoke and any remedial action. Many thanks.

Answer
Hi Garth,

You need to tell me in detail about the condition of the cylinder walls, What ring end gap was used and what the piston skirt clearance was.

There are some basic facts about smoke, White smoke is either coolant or brake fluid. Blue smoke is oil and black smoke is excess fuel.

With white smoke you need to do several tests. First you need to fill the radiator and with the cap off start the engine and note if it forces coolant out of the open radiator neck. If it does, you need to get the dye from any auto parts store that tests for CO in the coolant. follow the directions on the container.

Next, if you have compressed air available, get one of the fittings that adapts your air hose to the combustion chamber (Tool trucks that service garages usually stock them) Put #1 at TDC of the compression stroke and put the car in 4th gear and hand brake on. Apply the air hose to the combustion chamber and watch for any sign of the coolant level raising. Leave the air on it for at least 30 seconds. Then repeat the process on each cylinder. Even the smallest head gasket leak will show up as coolant raising in the radiator neck.

Howard