smoke in engine bay?? HELP

[yoshi_w]

Car: 1973 240z, l28, 280zx dizzy, 1973 flattop carbs.

Hi, so I thought I was getting back on track with getting the car all fixed up, I changed the air filter and just changed the in-bay fuel filter. After replacing the fuel filter, I started up the car and it was idling a little better, but then I began to notice smoke coming from in between the carbs and engine, around where the exhaust manifold is. I couldn't pinpoint the location, what could be the cause?

Sidenotes: it takes a while for the car to start up, a very long time, even with new fuel filter, choke doesn't work, if this could be connected to problem.

[ajmcforester]

Smoke problem sounds like a exhaust leak

[yoshi_w]

I didn't realize you could physically see the smoke from the exhaust, makes sense though if you're right, thanks!

[d240zx2]

Could also be the burning off of spilt oil...??

[yoshi_w]

i dont think it would as I haven't changed the oil recently, unless its leaking from the cork rocker gasket?

[ajmcforester]

How long has it smoked while running?

[ajmcforester]

How clean is this engine, is it grimey?

[yoshi_w]

I'm not gonna lie, it is pretty grimy, haven't gotten to cleaning it yet, I'm just trying to get it running reliably first. and from what I've noticed it has only smoked once or twice, but the smoke was thin enough that I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed it with the hood closed

[gryt57]

Yoshi,

Does it smell like burning oil? Or is a electrical type burning smell? If it is splilled oil it should burn off eventually. Unless you do have a oil leak. Make sure its not electrical. I had one of my fuse links smoking one time, because I think the inspection lid had come in to contact with the battery post.

[ajmcforester]

If it goes away after an hour of running you are more than likely burning something oily. They can leak at the head but exhaust leaks seem to be more common between the exhaust manifold and the downpipes so next time she's running before the engine gets to hot put your hand down by the connection and see if you fell hot air moving, be careful you can get burned doing this.

The hard starting you need to fix the choke it help a lot.

[FastWoman]

I bet it's oil somewhere on your exhaust. When I reworked my intake and exhaust, having sprayed PBlaster and WD-40 here and there, having handled parts with greasy hands, the same thing happened. When I first fired up the engine, it looked like I had built a small fire under the hood. The smoke cleared off after about 15 min.

[yoshi_w]

I'm just a little worried about keeping the car running with it smoking, so I shouldn't be too worried if theres no wires there?