Ok, a couple months ago I bought a 89 Trans Am WS6 with a 305 and TBI. The car needs/needed work. Ive done some on the car, and it has come along way from where it was. I would like to be registering the car soon, as I get my license in may. Of course one of the first things after its insured and what not, is going to be a full tune up.(And of course paint too )

Then comes the smoke problem..
When we first got to the car, to pick it up, I was told that it sat for 6 months without being run. From what I can see, the owner before me didnt care much about her anyway. Anyway, we started her up, and it looked like the car was burning out without spinning the tires. Yeah, lots of smoke. The car is at my house now, and smokes no where near as much anymore.

Thats not to say it doesnt though. The car smokes from the back,the side by the driver side door(Could just be wind blowing it that way) and on the head gasket right where the oil cap goes on. I dont think I have seen it anywhere else.. The car seems to run very rough aswell, the side mirrors shake, things rattle, and it idles sometimes lower then 1000 rpm..i give it gas, and it smoothes out considerably but not fully..problem is when i DO give it gas, more smoke!

Anyone have any ideas on what to do?
Maybe it just needs new oil and tune up?

Hit me up with your suggestions

-Joe

 

Ah, welcome to the neglected and abused car club. How many miles? The first things id do is replace some of the gaskets (valve covers, etc.) and give it a full survice, which should include oil chang, tune up, trans flush and refill, and change the lube in teh diff. How much does it smoke on start up? If its just on startup then its the vavle guids, which i wouldnt worry about too much. If it does it under load then the rings are shot, in which case you might get used tot eh idea of getting a good used motor or a crate to replace it. Dont fear doing a motor swap yourself. A swap is easy and cheap if you can find a decent priced used vortec or something. When i got mine i got fed up with the ol' 305 and junked it in favor of a crate 350. Car still looks like *** but at least it isnt a slow smoke belching clunker anymore.

 

what color is the smoke?

blue = oil
black = rich exhaust
white = coolant

If the smoke is white, smells sweet, and makes you feel like you're gonna throw up after inhaling it then you have blown headgaskets my friend. Drain the oil, if it is the color and consistancy of a chocolate milkshake, there's coolant in it