STEEL

Well, I assumed my piston rings were just shot to hell (200k on the engine, I know it has never been taken apart)

Now after searching and doing some reading it sounds like there might be a much simpler answer. If its in the valves, what can be done?

I dont have any trouble with it at start up or driving, but when I am idling its BAD. This is a frustration because I am a delivery driver, and I dont like leaving huge clouds of smoke in the customer's driveway.

Im open to a new set of heads, buts its an LO3 and I cant burn new chips, should I just go find a set of LO3 heads for cheap in the junk yard, get them machined, and then swap them? I cant have my car not running for even a day or I will not be able to work or go to school.

Thank you all, sorry to post two threads in the same forum so quickly.

Supervisor42

If the valve stem seals have not been changed before, they are certainly bad by now. They can be done with the heads on the car, and you'll find many posts outlining how to do it.
If it still makes plenty of power, the rings are probably not totally shot yet.
You can check your piston ring "health" by doing a quick blow-by test if you have an automatic transmission.

STEEL

Negitive on the automatic.

The car since 91 has been owned by an older adult woman who drove it nicely, but did neglect regular maintenance. It still makes really good power for a 305, and I love driving it.

I will look into changing the seals, thank you for your reply!

BladeX10

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you with the mileage and problems.. Im going to replace my seals tomorrow and ill let you know if it solves the problem

STEEL

Thank you, I was also told that this can just a common place deal after an oil change if you have switched brands/weights

Im running castrol GTX high millage 10-40, and i have no idea what the old stuff was other than OLD.