I bought a GM Performance Parts 350ci Crate Motor from Jegs 2 years ago and put it in my 89 Camaro. The warranty has expired on the engine. The engine has less than 5000 miles on it and it is smoking really bad. It is like a blue/gray smoke. It smokes a little on idle whether it is warm or cold. The smoke seems to get worse as the car warms up. Mechanics are looking at it and saying "I don't know." So, I come to the experts (since I am far from one) and am looking for some help. If anyone has any ideas on what this could be, please let me know. Thanks.

 

If it smokes all the time, it sounds like a piston ring.

 

either that or change your oil lol Just messin with ya!

 

Thanks for the quick response. That would be my luck. I was kind of guessing it was that but hoping it could be something else. Anyone else agree or disagree? I will take more suggestions so I do not have to take the engine apart. Thanks.

 

what kind of oil are u using? what grade?

 

I used Pennzoil 10W30.

 

I got a feelin bud that they messed up somethin when they put that motor together. You are better off pullin it back out and checking everything. Besides a set of engine gaskets will run ya 50 bucks on ebay and puttin it back together takes about a day. takin it to a garage or shop will get expensive.

 

it definitely sounds like piston ring, agreed with above about pulling it apart, better safe than sorry

 

Could be something simple like an improperly installed intake manifold gasket. Who installed the engine?

Valve stem seals and piston rings are the other choices. How does it run?

 

I installed it. I bought the crate motor and it was pretty straight forward. Just put on the manifold, carb, starter, etc. Not much I could have screwed up on to have this thing pour out smoke before 5000 miles. Its looking like I am going to have to put this thing away for the winter and get a fresh start in the spring. It's great having to rebuild a brand new engine. Thanks Jegs.

Keep the ideas coming. I still open to ideas. Thanks.

 

-pull the plugs, compare them, any of them look strange compared to the rest?

-buy a compression tester for $40. use it. See if it points to any one cylinder.

- pull the valve covers, anything look funny? missing valve seal, etc? Run it with the covers off, anything? look at the cylinder that had the dirtiest spark plug

 

could be valve guide seals. or a little gremlin injecting oil in your cumbustion chambers

 

I dont think the odds will be the same for you.. but i had the same problem.. I found out.. the heads had no valve seals.. Not even on the intake..