I am going to be changing the covers and seals and wanted to get some info from those who have had this done or have done it themselves......IS it expensive and can it be done by a novice(me).....If possible can you tell me the parts that i need to buy to do the repair.....I am getting too much smoke when i accelerate hard and it is annoying and want to get it fixed

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1988 Trans am.......best 600 bucks ive ever spent...305 5.0 but will save my lunch money and every penny to swap for a 350 tpi in the coming two years

 

smoke when you accelerate are piston rings. You need a rebuild (which would be dumb) or a new motor if you want it to go away. THe car will probably drive fine for a long time though like that, switch to a thicker oil. I hope you are allready on 20w50, if so, just go to like straight 40 or 50 weight

 

Just a quote about oil I saved from a gentleman who works in a test lab.

 

he lives where i live

it definately falls under high temp area

 

I didnt think it was th episton rings but if that is the case then i will rather save up a swap instead of rebuilding my 305.....thanxs for the help

 

If it's just a puff as soon as you punch it it's probably the seals not the rings. If it smokes the whole time you're on it then it's rings.

 

With that new info then it is the seals.... If it wasnt for this site i would have given up already on my trans and sold it for a honda

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1988 Firebird trans am 305 tbi LO3......Hey for 600 bucks i cant ask for more but i am going to swap the engine and spank some rice

 

mine puffs a nice cloud at startup and everyone says its valve stem seals, i do burn a little oil, but not much.how much would it cost to get a shop to replace them and what are the long term effects?