Hey guys, i have a quick question, I have a 94 camaro, and it recently overheated, and it was running really bad, the exhaust is shooting out clouds of anti freeze and white smoke, checked the dipstick and it was milky for the oil, and i got it checked out at a couple different places and seems to be a head gasket, but they were telling me, that if they fixed the head gasket, it could leave the lower block in bad shape and not run for very long. Is this true? and is there a chance that it could have been just fine?

 

If it ran very long too hot and with the oil/antifreeze mixed, the bearings in the bottom end will be worn. It could last a while or it could finish itself off as soon as they finish the gasket and your on your way. If its not making any funny noises yet, you may be ok for a little while. If you ran it much after it got hot though, Id go ahead and rebuild the whole thing or find a used replacement.

 

There is the possibility that the block or heads may have been damaged. And as noted above, when the coolant and oil mix, it makes a sludge substance that will easily destroy engine bearings. When I use to work at the shop, we used to do an engine flush anytime we would do a head gasket or intake gasket repair.