Hi everyone,

We were driving our 1985 Ford Thunderbird on the freeway when we
noticed smoke billowing out behind us.  We pulled off as soon as
possible and just before we turned it off it sounded like it backfired.

The car still starts fine and there is a leak where the engine is
spewing coolant (or something.)   There is a large puddle underneath
the car.   We couldn't find where the engine was leaking coolant
because it looked like it was occuring underneath the engine.

I assume this is a blown radiator hose.  We are afraid that the pop was
the block cracking or something equally catastrophic.

When we restarted the car for a few seconds the temperature gauge was
in the center but we didn't notice it overheating at all before the
smoke started.

Are there any suggestions on how to proceed?  Is the engine blown?
Does the Ford Thunderbird have a hose that would leak 'underneath' the
engine?

Thanks for help in advance.  We are going to try to replace the
radiator hoses and temperature gauge today as that seems the most
logical place to start.