Head gasket or worse?

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First engine I rebuilt I went step by step by a chilton’s manual. There was no internet or YouTube to follow. It ran great from startup to when I sold it 55,000 miles later. Being a brave soul and young and not real smart the day I started it I drove it 600 miles to visit family and it never missed a lick.
These days I’m not sure I’d trust a Chiltons rebuild

Similar for me. It was a Chevy 250. Ran just fine. Youtube videos would have been nice to have though.

 

[KP’s Cherry]

I've rebuilt a few heads on old engines and never had any issues. I could see potentially a little more blowby on an older engine vs a new or rebuilt one but realistically, the per cylinder compression difference between an old head and a rebuilt one won't be a lot. It'll be a lot in the OP's case because his head gasket was damaged/gone already but if you had a higher mileage engine with a good head and head gasket, if you pulled it, rebuilt the head, and reinstalled it, you won't have much compression difference realistically.

Hello!
I just got a rebuilt engine installed 2.5L on my 2000 Jeep TJ. Moved from California to Park City, Ut 6200 ft elevation. The Jeep is blowing white smoke out the exhaust mostly first gear. No leaks anywhere, super clean radiator fluid. Seems to be running okay. Would love your thoughts on items to look for?
Thanks KP

 

[TJ4Jim]

Hello!
I just got a rebuilt engine installed 2.5L on my 2000 Jeep TJ. Moved from California to Park City, Ut 6200 ft elevation. The Jeep is blowing white smoke out the exhaust mostly first gear. No leaks anywhere, super clean radiator fluid. Seems to be running okay. Would love your thoughts on items to look for?
Thanks KP

You can pull you plugs one at a time looking for a bright clean tip, that will confirm a leak into the cylinder.

 

[Link]

Hello!
I just got a rebuilt engine installed 2.5L on my 2000 Jeep TJ. Moved from California to Park City, Ut 6200 ft elevation. The Jeep is blowing white smoke out the exhaust mostly first gear. No leaks anywhere, super clean radiator fluid. Seems to be running okay. Would love your thoughts on items to look for?
Thanks KP

White smoke is likely to be coolant. That's where I would start. Is it using coolant?