Well I'm really not much of an engine guy, so I could use a little help. I bought my 1984 Z28 about 2 months ago now and it has an oil leak. It seems to leak from the top of the valve cover(s) as I noticed around where the oil cap is theres oil all around it. It doesn't seem to be really bad, but whenever I run the car for 5 minutes it causes it to smoke a bit. I'm assuming this is from the oil dripping on the hot engine. So, what can I do to fix the leak, should I replace the valve covers with some after market ones?

 

You probably only need new valve cover gaskets, installed with the metal spreader rails to distribute the load evenly on the perimeter of the cover. There was a TSB for this that I'll have to dig up.

 

I planned on getting aftermarket valve covers anyways, so I'll probably get new ones. I take it I would have to get new gaskets and stuff too then? Thanks for the help!!

 

You may also want to check your PCV valve since you said the oil seems to be coming from the 'top' of your valve covers and you have oil residue around your oil cap.