I recently noticed a decent amount of oil on the threads of my plugs and I am thinking that the valve seals might be gone. How can I check for this? Any other ideas why this oil might be present? I know there could be blow by from the rings, but I find it sort of strange that they would all go, but who knows Is there anyway to narrow this problem down without pulling the motor or taking it totally apart? Thanks.

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87 GTA 350 L98
K&N filters, beefed up TH-700r4, Accel Manifold, Ported Plenum and Runners, Fuel Press. Regulator 49.5psi, air foil, modified MAF, SLP cold air box, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/160 thermostat, MSD 6AL and Blaster 3, B&M shift kit & megashifter, Moser Ford 9in Rear with Richmond 3.50 and locker, Edlebrock TES headers and Cat Back,Hotchkis setup in rear, Poly suspension and Koni in the front, relocated MAT, bypassed IAC, 300 lbs lighter

Fastest ET's
Stock-0-60 6.8, 1/4 15.0 @ 94
Best-0-60 4.7, 1/4 12.8 @ 112
Norm-0-60 5.2, 1/4 13.2 @ 108

 

A puff of blue-ish smoke when you start the car is good indication of bad valve seals.

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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

 

oil on the plug threads may be from a leak in the valve cover gasket depending where on the threads it is

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond Lodge 538 F&AM

 

How much oil is it actually using? Does it produce a huge cloud at start-up, or just a puff of smoke? A little smoke at start does't hurt anything.

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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

Hey guys thanks for posting, I'll list some more info. To my knowledge there is no puff of blue smoke at all. However, I do have a somewhat clogged Cat on the car, and that could be blocking it, I plan on taking it off real soon. As for the valve covers, I suppose that is possible. The oil is all over the threads, and doesn't appear to be in the plug, but on the other hand isn't on the nut either, just the threads. Which would seem to me like the compression in the engine is pushing it out, but what do I know Actually when I start the car, and it could just be because it is cold outside, the smoke appears whiteish, then turns much more clear when it gets up to temperature. Thanks for the help.

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87 GTA 350 L98
K&N filters, beefed up TH-700r4, Accel Manifold, Ported Plenum and Runners, Fuel Press. Regulator 49.5psi, air foil, modified MAF, SLP cold air box, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/160 thermostat, MSD 6AL and Blaster 3, B&M shift kit & megashifter, Moser Ford 9in Rear with Richmond 3.50 and locker, Edlebrock TES headers and Cat Back,Hotchkis setup in rear, Poly suspension and Koni in the front, relocated MAT, bypassed IAC, 300 lbs lighter

Fastest ET's
Stock-0-60 6.8, 1/4 15.0 @ 94
Best-0-60 4.7, 1/4 12.8 @ 112
Norm-0-60 5.2, 1/4 13.2 @ 108