Trying to quit smoking

CharbCharb Administrator
in Engine & Drivetrain
I've done some searching, and now I'm ready for opinions. I can't tell where all oil/coolant is totally leaking from yet. I just recently scrubbed my long block. And oil seems to specifically be coming from distributor and something on the other side (head gasket area anyway). Not sure if it's coming from P/S or cam seal or head gasket....Nothing in the middle. Except for my valve cover gasket. That is leaking across the head/exhaust manifold. One of the plugs also had a fair amount of oil when I pulled it.

When the car warms up and I pull away in first- I get a big puff of blue smoke.

Naturally I want to rid this. The car runs really really well. It's quiet and strong. I'm leaning towards doing all of the head related gaskets (and oil pan) here soon. But I'm getting these whispers of valve guide seals in my ears. And I'm wondering if I should do these before I pull the head? Or should I just say 'fuck it' and do them all regardless?

I'm not afraid to say I've never been inside a motor before. So I'm just looking for some encouragement/wisdom from our more experienced members. I've read a couple different manuals, a couple of different times. And I'm confident this won't be hard at all. Then maybe this is something that can be quick-linked in the future with my results and pictures.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    Man, your engine sounds like mine. It might just be time to get another stock block head from the junk yard and have it rebuilt and then swap it onto the car with ALL new gaskets to eliminate your oil leaks. Does your car smoke constantly or only when you start it? If only when you start it's your valve guides and seals. Mine smokes the whole time I drive and thats my oil rings being shredded. Like I said before, get a junker head and drive your car as is till you rebuild it then swap the new one on! :)
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    If you are looking at doing seals and possibly valve guides you may as well just pull the head to take a look see.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Start by replacing the valve cover gasket SET (grommets and all) and the distributor o-ring. That won't do a thing for the blue smoke (burning oil) but it'll stop some of the annoying external leaks.

    Valve stem seals may help with your problem, and they can be done with the head on the car, but NOT by a novice. It's a tricky procedure at best.
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    bam-bam wrote:
    Start by replacing the valve cover gasket SET (grommets and all) and the distributor o-ring. That won't do a thing for the blue smoke (burning oil) but it'll stop some of the annoying external leaks.

    Valve stem seals may help with your problem, and they can be done with the head on the car, but NOT by a novice. It's a tricky procedure at best.


    This is the sort of info I was looking for. Thanks bam!

    I'm kinda leaning towards just driving it until it doesn't run anymore. Then just go straight to a Z6 longblock.

    I basically don't want to get all deep, and not solve my problem.
  • lecoqlecoq Wagonist
    I've got the same problem on cold start...blue smoke coming from the exhaust. looks like it goes away once warmed up. I'm just gonna save up for a Z6 swap and keep driving it until I'm all done fixing up the new engine and it's ready to drop in. That way I won't have the car in the garage for too long!
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