Overheating and a puff of white smoke leads me to believe you have a bad head gasket or a crack somewhere, maybe the head.
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Hey Partner,

If youare dealing with an OEM radiator, don't bother having it rodded, justscrap it and purchasea 3-4 row unit.I know it's easy to spend other people money, but, this is what you need to do. This is especially true, if you go the crate motor route. The white smoke is most likely a head gasketleak.
Good Luck!

 

It has a new(ish) 3 row rad.

I found some coolant on the ground this morning on the driver side front side of the motor and there is that oil slick looking film in the coolant in the radiator.

I'll pull the head this week but it seems the head gasket it done, if not the head.

Thanks for all the idea's and info guys.

I'll start looking for a new motor as a temp replacement and start the rebuild of the "a" code motor.

Thanks!!

 

ok, a little late on this post, sorry

if you are ok around town and overheating on the highway, I think your water pump is shot.

 

well i am having exactly the same issue exactly so i would love to hear and thanks for reminding me i am guna check my head gasket in the morning cause i have had this prob eversine i got my car back from shop and they tell me i am crazy

 

Yup, cracked head or blown gasket or both. Don't use crap gaskets, Fel Pro is good. Either 1011-1(copper fire ring, .041 compressed thickness) or 1011-2(steel fire ring, .039 compressed thickness), both are steel core laminate gaskets. Some think the 8548PT-2 is a superior gasket, steel fire ring and a bit hefter, but .047 compressed thickness(which on higher compression engines will reduce quench height and possibly increase likelihood of detonation, depending on deck clearance). Definately get the heads checked for cracks and warpage, otherwise you may rebuild it and have the same problem all over again.