First question: I own a 84 base camaro that is a low options car - it has only 3 options: AC, T-tops and the 305 4BRL. So instead of gauges all it has is idiot lights for temperature, etc. The car starts right up and idles fine. All the original smog equipment is in place untouched as from the factory. The check engine light is on all the time. The car is registered as an antique car so if it's an emissions issue the car isn't required to pass any tests anymore. Could the check engine light just be defective?
Second question: Also, the car smokes a lot on start up (burning oil) especially after sitting for weeks at a time. However, after letting it idle for about 5 or 10 minutes if I then turn the car off and start it again it smokes much less. Mileage is 171,500. Engine sounds good so I think the problem could be worn out valve seal guides. Or could it be more serious? And I haven't replaced the plugs in over 26 years. If I install new plugs will that help reduce the amount of smoke?

 

First answer ;

There is a .1% chance the light circuit could be defective, and a 99.9% chance that the light is doing what it's supposed to, alerting you to a problem. Search the word "Paperclip" here and follow the very simple instructions to determine what's actually going on.

Second answer ;

Yes, it could be valve guide seals causing the oil burning (among other possibilities), and no, the sparkplugs, even plugs older than the Groanin Bones (The Rolling Stones) won't cause an engine to burn oil. Of course, after 26 YEARS you'll need more than a sparkplug socket to remove them. More like a jackhammer and dynamite.........