The good news is i can drive the car now that i changed the master/slave clutch cylinder so shifting works. The bad news is there is some white smoke on top of the engine for about a minute after i turn off the engine, could this be caused by the dirt on top of my engine? it hasnt been cleaned since I bought it and I don't know what to use because I dont want water getting into places it shouldnt be. Also after I ran the engine and turned it off i heard a very faint dripping sound about every 3-5 seconds, sounded near the bottom of the engine/exhaust manifold side, but there was nothing on the ground. When i let it idle there was no smoke but when i put it in reverse to drive out or 1st to drive back into the garage, when i opened the hood it was smoking a bit. Confused about the smoke and dripping noise. I took a picture of wherebouts i see the smoke coming out, its not too much just want to be careful though.

Where is the smoke actually coming from? I have a filtered vent on the front drivers side of the block that normally smokes a little. I dont think the filter on my valve cover smokes very often though.

How long has it been since the motor was used long enough to be at normal operating temp? Could be residue from a previous cleaning, could be brake fluid spilled over from the brake master work, both will burn off shortly. Could be the crank breather hose is loose at the block. Are you sure the dripping sound isn't the sound of a heat shield creaking during temp changes? Really hard to tell without hearing in person. The engine doesn't look bad to me as far as 'dirty'.

Leonard

The smoke is coming near the front, around the temp sensor area but I haven't pin pointed it, it's hard to tell where exactly, it sounds like slight hissing or steaming around it.could it be a coolant hose not on tight or old and cracked a bit? this is the first time its been driven in over 15 years. The dripping noise was very faint had to be dead silent then you could hear a bit.when I had the hood open it didn't smoke.could it be the cold weather with hot enginewhen hood is closed cause it to form water on engine because when I opened hood after running it seemed wet for a few seconds, sort of shiny. Do you know any good ways of cleaning the engine bay really well? I don't know any effective methods .thanks

It can be the busted t-stat housing gasket leaking onto the exhaust manifold or one of the rubber hoses for the preheating plate where the Aux. Air Regulator is mounted. Mine leaked in both spots.

You also probably need to get the mechanic's mirror and check the leakage around the t-stat housing temp senders.

Regards!

Do you notice any particular odor? Oil will be very acrid and heavy. Coolant will be kind of 'sick-sweet' almost like maple syrup. I agree with Darom that it is probably the T-Stat housing...Let us know what you find.