Okay, I'm in need of some help from people a little more tech savvy than I am! I've got a stock bottom end 350 in my 85-Z, the motor has been completely rebuilt and has about 2,000 miles on it. Problem is, every time even since the first time firing it up it likes to smoke. At idle, while driving...pretty much all the time.

Where should I start? Compression test?

 

A compression test would be a good Idea it could be a ring that is failing to seat.

as you only mention the bottom end and nothing about the heads are they new or rebuilt it could be bad valve guides or seals also.

Is the smoke white or does it have a blueish color to it?

 

Well, I put a set of "cleaned up" camel hump heads on it. Single plane intake, 750DP Holley, and a Comp grind with ".490 lift.

The smoke is kind of bluish, the only think I have ruled out is the carb. I'm hoping it's not the rings, don't want to have to pull the motor.

 

you can check them with a dual gage leakdown tester, but to start off take the valve covers off and see if you have play in the valve guides by trying to move the valve stems back and forth. check the condition of the valve seals. pull the plugs and see if one is oil soaked or wet with gas. if the oil smells like gas you could be running too rich and that can cause the rings not to seal letting oil by.

 

May be sucking oil past the intake gaskets.