Bubbles in Radiator & White smoke

[Brent Fidler <brentfid@domain.elided>]

I am experiencing a similar problem to Tom M.  I too get a puff of white 
smoke behind my 79 SII when I start the engine.  I have inspected my 
radiator and found lots of little bubbles in the antifreeze.  From what I 
can understand this means that I have a failing head gasket, right?  I have 
experienced no noticeable loss of power (I pulled my boat through the 
Appalachian Mountains last weekend without a hitch) and the white smoke 
only occurs at startup.  The only other problem is that my radiator has a 
slow drip.  Can this be related?

What should I do?  Do I need to pull the heads immediately or can I 
continue operating till it gets worse?  I am a novice and have learned only 
from tinkering and lurking.  I couldn't even fathom pulling my 345's heads 
right now, but I do have the service manuals.


Brent A. Fidler
brentfid@domain.elided