Please see this thread. I have an inquiry as to what needs to be replaced on my car at 50,000 engine wise.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=332542

Thanks,
Bill

This is the proper forum for your question, not the FAQ.

If the smoke is indeed white, that isn't valve stem seals. That's coolant. If it is valve stem seals, it should be bluish in color.

There's nothing magical about 50k miles. Standard igition tune-up, coolant system flush, transmission and rear end fluid changes are about all you need to worry about. It isn't surprising to have a 15-year-old SBC need valve stem seals, while the plugs are out is a good time to get that done.

Agree, white smoke at start up could be just condensation. If the valve stem seals are bad, you'll see "blue" smoke, especially at start up. Another thing I would recommend is flushing the brake fluid, that can get pretty dirty in time and people usually neglect it.

I've had all those fluid changes / flushes done already =) I also heard something about new valve springs for the engine?

The smoke could be white, or it could be grey/blue, I cant tell.

BUT... I just checked my coolant fluid before the flush, and it was running really really low. It was also really rusty and gummed up. I had my mechanic do a special treatment on it. But even now, there are still rust stains in the tank, I can see them. Maybe it is the coolant and not the valve seals?

the previous owner put in bosch plugs... can I wait out changing them for a while, or no? Where do I go to get an ignition system tune up? How much would an upgrade to the ignition system cost me? Would it give me any extra HP?

Don't bother your ignition. If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Replacement parts for it will do nothing for your engine. You will not see or feel any performance gains from any upgrade ignition produce on a stock motor.

Bosch plugs, as a generalization, suck. Especially the Plat's (+2, +4, whatevers). AC Delco's - the cheapie's - are a good bet.

Factory valve springs suck. They don't have to be changed, but you can if you want.

You can pressure test your cooling system. That will tell you in a hurry if there's a leak. I'm betting your cooling system is fine and it is, in fact, your valve stem seals or condensation that is causing your start up smoke.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...+parts+350+tpi

this is a realy good list for a general tunup, i am planing on going down the list right after christmas. Kids using up all the car money.

Excellent thread, I forgot the fuel filter, I change it every 2 years.

I think that thread should be condenced and made into a sticky, a lot of questions can be answerd by it..

We've been saying that for almost five years now:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...threadid=23205

I'd like to have half of what Bosch has made selling those plugs since then, despite the warnings.

I just want my 40$ i spent on a set of thier plugs back.. (two years ago before i knew bout TGO tbi days.)