Here are my symptoms! Can anybody diagnose?

[thachevythang]

This in on an 85 automatic stock 350/350 2wd shortbed. Strait dual exhaust w/ glasspacks.

Its been about 3 weeks since I drove my truck and decided to go for a ride. I started it up but forgot my phone and when I got back to the truck it was a real lopey idle. Not usual for it. I cut it off started up again. Idle was normal but started to backfire on the driver side. Backed up and noticed some kind of black residue on the driveway. Got out to check and sure enough on the driver side it's spittin out this black junk! So I cut it off again. Started it up and still throwing this stuff out. I wouldn't know the first place to start but I am pulling this engine for a rebuild. Can anybody help me out? Let me know what I need to check? What the problem is now before I pull it?

[Grim 82]

Sounds like it's loading up a cylinder or two. Check the plugs and wires on that side. Does it idle normal now? If so give it a workout and see if it cleans itself out.

[thirsty]

Black gunk usually means unburnt fuel.

[thachevythang]

It smells like its running real rich also. Probably the unburnt fuel! Charcoal can was only only hooked up by one hose! Plugged the others, noticed a change in idle. Another hose rotted out was removed and plugged by the distributor. I don't know what they are but I pulled two black spheres because they weren't hooked up. One not even bolted on!

Idle is still a little lopey at start up but then returns to normal. Backfires though. Black junk still coming out of drivers side and looks like a very small amount on the passenger side. Today from a stop light didn't floor it at all but it made a clicking sound, sounded like it was going to shut off, then picked up to normal in a real quick manner.

So changing the plugs can help? Maybe the timing and everything checked? Does it sound like it needs a rebuild or a tune up? I could use the rebuild kit on another project.

[Grim 82]

I would start with getting your vacuum line routing squared away and making sure there are no leaks. One of those black spheres is a reserve can for the HVAC system and the other one is probably for cruise control. Get the vacuum advance hooked back up to the distributor. Leave no ports uncapped, and go from there.

[thachevythang]

I trashed both of those because they were both cracked and hoses rotted. I have the cruise control all disconnected so ones good. Can I work around not having the HVAC or should I replace it?

Changed the plugs today and idle is definitely better and back to normal. No more black junk! Took it out for a cruise but still after about 30 min it dies. When I open the hood I have white smoke coming out of the stock exhaust manifold on the passenger side! Thermostat is new and good, radiators flushed and good, so I don't know where else to look. When changing the plugs on the passenger side it seemed like maybe a head gasket blown? Had some oil underneath the exhaust manifold.

Thanks for helping me get squared away Grim. I'm going to try to replace all my top end gaskets this weekend. Compression test and see if I need to replace my timing. Maybe some new valve covers. Will post my results.

[Grim 82]

As long as you cap all the associated vacuum lines, you can do without the HVAC, etc. I would check your oil for coolant and vice versa if you suspect a head gasket leak.

[thachevythang]

I ended up pulling my engine this weekend!!! Decided to do it since I had to pull so many things off to change gaskets, might as well bite the bullet and rebuild it to have the piece of mind that nothing else should be wrong.

After it was pulled I noticed there did appear to be a leak on the passenger side head and there were no gaskets on the exhaust manifolds either! When I pulled the oil pan the screen was sitting in the bottom of the pan. The valve covers had about half a gasket left and the remaining portions melted to the intake. Still need to pull the heads and the intake and clean clean clean. I have about 2 inches of oil caked on to one side of the engine.

Good news, did bypass the HVAC and plugged any other unused lines. I should be good there.

Bad news, I have a HUGE crack in my bell housing some pieces already missing. Explains the nicks and such on the flywheel and torque converter. Trans runs and shifts fine so hopefully dont need a new one. Though it looks cheaper to get a new trans!

[TexasRed]

Some people build the engine with no exhaust gaskets, something about 2 flat surfaces don't need a gasket  .

[roger97338]

Some people build the engine with no exhaust gaskets, something about 2 flat surfaces don't need a gasket  .

Could be worse. They could use J.B.Weld.