Did some thread searching and couldn't find anything on this? Everytime I fire up the 87 305 TPI, I get a puff of white smoke. After it runs for a few seconds it is fine. I have heard that this is a common problem on these cars, but what is the problem? Can it be easily fixed?

Thanks in advance.

 

I hope it's a puff of blue smoke and not white? Blue puff is pushrod seals which is common on older chevy's, as for a fix, the seals are under the valve covers. If you have a white puff, that could be antifreeze leaking into the cylinders from a possible bad head gasket or worse. Check your oil for any water in it.

 

Its the valve seals, very common on any older engine and is not a big concern. The seals degrade over time and allows a small amount past after shut down then should burn off quickly after startup. Not a hard fix with the right tools.

 

Boy was i stupid, yes i meant valve seals, I'm a little under the weather.

 

Is this an expensive fix if I pay a mechanic to do it? I have been reading up on it, but not sure if I have the talent to do it.

 

Shop labor is probably anywhere from $60 to $100+ an hour, and it would probably take 2-3 hrs or more depending on the mechanic. Just rough estimates.

 

Its going to depend on the shop rate per hr and the skill/speed & method of thier techs. 300-500 guesstimate.

 

If you are going to do that, you are better off spending a little more money and getting a set of torquer heads and buying them instead. Reason is, the valve guides in those heads aren't the best thing and there are several that are probably worn. Putting new seals on a worn guide isn't going to help much, so your problem can improve, but not necessarily go away.

Another common problem with these cars I rarely see mentioned is warped intakes. Overheated cars (especially ones that were steamed) can warp the base so bad that even with a new gasket, oil leaks past the gasket from the lifter valley into the runners and burns. Usually isn't noticeable unless at idle with the oil hot for a little while. (idle vacuum after shutoff can pull a little bit of oil into the cylinder in this fashion)

 

dh, thanks alot for the added info. Its really nice to have to have long term members share their expertise. So could I "pick your brain" a little more?

Assuming the issue is only the valve guides and seals, is this condition a need for serious concern as to the damaging of other componets or leading to shortened engine life?
Also, if it is a warped intake will it cause any vacuum leaks in/around the manifold and can the intake typically be machined back into spec?

 

I've seen old chevy's not only puff smoke when first started, but also smoke like a fogger and keep on running. Bottom line is if it's just a little puff now and then when you first start it, that's not going to hurt anything. You could try a can of oil seal reconditioner and see if that would soften the seals. If you have lots of money you could buy new heads or have yours rebuilt, depends on how bad you think it is? Do you go through lots of oil? If not then valve seals are cheaper than the other options.

 

Thats been my experience too, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing somthing. I've had a 71 Cheyenne for over 20 years and its smoked at start-up since the day I bought it, and it's been putting out the blue haze full-time for the last 10 years and just keeps on truckin.

Still curious about the warped maifold scenario though?

 

Not that it couldn't i suppose, but I've never heard of a warped intake, Warped heads, yes. As for machining them back, depending on the amount taken off, you could probably build it back with gaskets.

 

just think of it as your own personal james bond smoke screen for quick getaways

or mosquito repellent

its the dealer options that arent usually listed

 

haha.. LMAO.. thats it I'll take the 71 out around town then see if i can bill the city for mosquito abatement.

 

My '65 C10 smoked like a freight train until the day I sold it. The mosquitos in my neighborhood didn't stand a chance!

Sounds to me like you've got enough time left on those seals to save some $$$ and get a set of heads. Might as well take advantage of the opportunity.