Starts, sort of, then dies

I have a 96 Ram Van with lots o miles. I just recently drove down to LA from Portland, Or and my GF just drove up and back from Seattle. When I went out the next moring to start it after her trip, the engine turned over,started, and does stay on if I give it gas but there is white smoke coming out of the tailpipe and as soon as I let up on the accelerator, it dies. I don't know much about this engine (318), I just had to part with my old slant-six. This thing has been running great for my for the three months that I have had it. Any ideas?

Dang, why'd you let the unkillable six go? (Probably same reason I let mine go, the car was falling apart around it :) )

White smoke is often a sign of water in the motor, so I'd suspect a head gasket. Check the radiator, see if it's still full or not. Look for any leakage around the heads (might not see any even if gone)

hey fred good to c u over here in the ram van section also if there was water in the gas that he could of bought wouldnt that do it ?

Hey thanks good to see you here too.....I don't know about water in the gas, that does make it run rough and die, so sure some drigas or HEET wouldn't hurt. White smoke is usually steam.