MetalEd

I am not familiar with older cars at all. So this is new to me. It is a 170 I6 and has had just about EVERYTHING mechanical rebuilt from the carb back to the differential. I just got it to where I think it is reliable. This morning when I started to warm it up, I walked around the back and noticed that water is dripping out of the exhaust pipe with the exhaust. It clear and odorless, so I assume it is water. Is this normal? what could it be if there is something wrong with it?

109jb

It is normal. Hydrogen in the gasoline combines with oxygen during combustion to form a small amount of water. Once the car warms up the engine and exhaust system will be hot enough that the water formed will not be able to condense. It will come out the tailpipe as water vapor that you won't see. You should only get water dripping when the car is relatively cold.

stephen.osborne1

my old shop teacher used to say that water was a byproduct of perfect combustion... I'd take that to mean your car is running great.

67mustang302

Water is one of the biggest byproducts of combustion. When a car is cold though and still warming up, and the temp drop throughout the length of the exhaust, the vapor condenses and drips out. All cars do it to one degree or another.

Norm Peterson

One other thing about condensation is that if it's dripping from anywhere but the end of the pipe you'll know that you have a tiny leak and about where it is even if you can't hear it. The damp spot on the pipe pinpoints it.

It'll also show you where your exhaust line fabrication wasn't quite up to snuff.


Norm

KMatch

One more detail on this indepth discussion: The muffler should be dripping from the end seams as well. Most are designed with a tiny hole in the seam to allow the water to drip out rather than fill up and rust. This is a feature and not a mistake.

MetalEd

That's what I was hoping everyone wold say, but I thought it would be too simple. It is finally running so well after so many years and I had never seen it dripping or spitting water like that before, so I was worried about the engine rebuild and another expensive repair. It did stop after it warmed up and very light smoke (not trying to stall and all the dark smoke like before the rebuild )
Replace the front-end parts and the new floor boards are about the only two major things I have left and it will be a "new car"... That's basically the last two major items except the paint, minor body work and the interior upholstery/trim. It feels so good to have taken a completely rusted out car, barely able to start or move and bring it so far and back to life!
Thanks everyone!

Oxnard Montalvo

Simple is good.
Each gallon of gas burned produces almost a gallon of water and twenty pounds of CO2, and it all comes out the tailpipe.
A quick read.

Don't Drink the Water.

67mustang302

Well, most comes out the tailpipe. Some ends up in the crankcase from blowby.