every single time i start my car hot or cold it smokes alot and want to know if it could be rings and not just valve guides. how can i test for bad rings

 

do a compression check. record the numbers. re-do the compression check on cylinders that have lower than normal numbers with a bit of oil in the combustion chamber, if the numbers go up by adding the oil on the compression check then it has bad rings, if it doesnt go up its a valve train issue.

 

Get a nice leakdown tester you wont regret it. If you have a fresh tune up and still see that annoying puff of blue than than odds are your valve seals are shot.

 

what is a leakdown tester

 

You can see how much pressure each cylinder is hold and losing with one.

 

i do have a compression guage what is base or an accaptable range for each cylinder and how long should it hold pressure with that o and should i test cold

 

try the easy stuff first . sounds a lot like valve stem seals . do a search , lots of good/easy methods for replacing them . make sure drain passages at lower front & rear of cylinder heads are not sludged up . if they are oil will not drain back into crankcase as fast as it should . smoke & oil use will result . good luck .

 

ill change the valve guides this weekend and let you guys know what hapopens the reason im kind of nervouse is most chevys smoke a little on start up when cold mine smokes even if its hot on every start up