The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop little smokey

Hi guys, just have a few quick questions for ya... my neighbor has an 82 GMC truck with a stock 350 that he says I can have if i'll haul it off for him... he says it ran good when he parked it in summer of 2003 just after he drove it home (less than 2 miles) after getting t boned by a cavalier.

My question is this... I have started the engine successfully on 4 or 5 different occasions and it runs ok... however after letting it run for 4 to 5 minutes there is definitive oil smoke that is coming from just around one of the spark plugs. At least no other obvious leaks or anything. When this happens I go ahead and shut it down. I would not label the smoke as "major" however I also do not want to cause it to get any worse either. I DO understand why the smoke is there (oil on a hot engine etc etc) but not sure if this can eventually go away or will it keep getting worse? Is this something where I just need to tighten the spark plug or is there something that I need to do to fix it? Is it possible that its just the spark plug not seated properly in the block and maybe a new one would stop it? Since it is only a little bit of smoke can I go ahead and run it for a longer period of time without causing more of a problem?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

So it would be safe to say that I'll have to plan on replacing valve cover gasket? Actually would probably be safe investment even if it is just a loose plug... thanks for the info.

I'll double check the plug in case it's loose but will be at auto parts store tomorrow anyway so i'll go ahead and pick up a gasket while i'm there.

bowtie -

i agree with too many. I would replace the valve cover gaskets. also if you are gonna be driving it around and stuff i would replace the spark plugs anyway..along with the wires and cap if need be. i am a major proponent of preventative maintinence, so i usually err on the side of too much replacing. i would definitely replace the plugs and the valve cover gasket. good luck, i hope that the free truck works out for ya.

Did you see any sign of something smacking the valve cover in the accident,and maybe causing a leak?
Speed

You may as well spend a little extra time while you have the valve covers off and replace the valve stem seals.

Have you ever heard the expression "never look a gift horsr in the mounth"?

Ok so now you guys have me worried that I may be in over my head on this freebie (cause that's how my luck goes) I never even considered the thought that the wreck could have caused the leak but hey I guess it does make sense. I didnt get a chance to work on the valve cover gasket today but at least I have it waiting in the front seat for tomorrow... hope to get a crack at it tomorrow. Thanks for all the good advice everyone... I'll try to keep checking in with updates as needed. thanks again

Have you ever heard the expression "never look a gift horse in the mouth"?

i would look it right in the outh and take it for what it is if you want it. free is still free even if the truck has some problems. i find that free is a very hard price to argue against. good luck.