I'm guessing these are my symptoms of a collapsed lifter? It will run like crap, I let it warm up shut it off again and it runs like a champ what the hell is going on with this thing

Year?

White smoke? Maybe blow head gasket.
Antifreeze can kill the cat and maybe O2 sensor too.

older years have weak head bolts that can blow head gasket.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

Its a 1984, its white smoke but it reeks of gasoline, spark plug #4 is black and the others are clean. The exhaust hits the snow and turns the snow into soot. I've replaced the IAC MAP fixed the overheating problem (radiator fan wasn't working). Only when the motor would overheat on the dash would it run nice and smoothe

quote Originally posted by Fadingaway: Its a 1984, its white smoke but it reeks of gasoline, spark plug #4 is black and the others are clean. The exhaust hits the snow and turns the snow into soot. I've replaced the IAC MAP fixed the overheating problem (radiator fan wasn't working). Only when the motor would overheat on the dash would it run nice and smoothe

What did this problem turn out to be? It sounds like it likely a stuck valve in #4. Likely carbon build up. Is that what is was? I got an 84 that is smoking...I am thinking piston rings in my case. Good Luck.

quote Originally posted by White 84 SE: What did this problem turn out to be? It sounds like it likely a stuck valve in #4. Likely carbon build up. Is that what is was? I got an 84 that is smoking...I am thinking piston rings in my case. Good Luck.

Do a wet/dry compression test. This will tell you the condition of rings, cylinders and valves.

White smoke sounds like you have coolant getting into the cylinders, could be a head gasket or cracked head. If the rings are shot, you will get some pretty bad blow-by. Check the air cleaner housing for excess oil. Also, with the engine running, remove the oil fill cap and see how much air pressure there is coming from the opening. Bad rings will cause the combustion gasses into the crankcase and you will have a pretty good puff coming out.

Guys, this is a 6 month old thread. I seriously doubt the guy is still trying to figure out what's wrong with the car.

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: Guys, this is a 6 month old thread. I seriously doubt the guy is still trying to figure out what's wrong with the car.

Our responses were to "White 84 SE" who just posted that he also has problems. (ok...my response, anyway, maybe not Tony's )

[This message has been edited by Neils88 (edited 08-27-2014).]

Hey thanks Neil, I will do that real quick to see. In my case I hogged out the valve throats (might have gone too far) and the tops of the cylinders got rusty being exposed for a few years (might need to go to larger piston).