I think my old beast is burning antifreeze...

I got an 87 B2000 running after it sat for 3 years in my brother's yard.

He sold it to me for $1 so I'm ahead of the game.

I know it needs a new head gasket but I also I think it's burning antifreeze (the exhaust is white).

Therefore, what are my options given this prognosis...

I look forward to everyone's input, it's been fantastic so far.

Cheers !!

well if it hasent been running to long like that then the best thing u can do is change the head gasket before it starts real damage.... but if uve been running it for a while like, ur engine is probaly pooched,
good luck

Well, like I said, it's been sitting for the last 3 years and I have no idea what the previous owner did to it...

However, I did drive it last nite for about 10 minutes and the engine seemed to be running pretty good,

I will definitely be changing the head gasket real soon though.

Thx for the advice!!

could be couple of things.

could have a cracked head for one, and the most common is a blown head gasket.

if you say yourself the gasket is blown, then that's the problem

make sure to check for cracks in the head my dads truck was burning antifreeze come to find out the head was cracked in 3 places. so make sure to check the head for cracks.

Yup, head gasket is definitely blown.

Okay, wait, I've just consulted my Haynes manual and realized I was mixing up the valve cover gasket and the head gasket.

From what I've just read, replacing the head gasket is a MAJOR undertaking... and I'm not sure I'm up to the task.

However, I do realize that if I don't fix this, the engine will self-destruct slowly... and I'll have to replace the entire thing...

Keep in mind I only paid $1 for this truck and put in about $400 to get it running again... before I realized it was burning antifreeze.

Any advice on what I should do?????

Thx !!

has everyone has stated its ur head gasket, i had this exact same problem. Me and my dad re-did it and i went ahead and got my head re-surfaced for $60 its a must just to make sure ur head isnt cracked or warped.

You can do it man just take your time and read the book. swaping out the head gasket is a pretty big undertaking if you dont work on cars that much. but can still be done by you. and get a head gasket kit not just a head gasket. it will come with every gasket from the head up and a new front seal. while you have the head off take it and have it reworked. i was gone do mine but it stoped smoking so now im not but thay said 80 bucks for the valves, and have it checked and surfeced.