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Hello. I have a 1987 IROC with the LB9 and T5. I really like this combo and would like to enjoy it. Unfortunately at first crank and long idle periods it does give a puff of smoke with the smell of oil. 99% certain valve seals are shot. Engine still runs fantastic and good power. I could honestly run it as is for a long time BUT would hate to go to any car meets puffin and stinking up the place. Aside from VORTEC heads are there any other options? I don't want to swap in a 350/L98 as id like to keep it original. And if I was gonna make that effort id go ahead and shoot for LS anyways lol! Rather than do the seals was thinking just upgrading the heads some. I know for VORTECS ill need the intake, and well the heads as well so it can add up. I believe this engine has the L98 cam so don't think its worth the hassle of throwing a cam in. What are my options? Edelbrock heads? Looking for the best drop in ready to go type heads.Thank you.
Why not just replace the valve seals? When you like the way the car is now swapping the heads is just silly. If you can't DIY, any decent shop should be able to economically replace your seals.
Is it silly to not do upgrades if I have to modify/repair anyways? Make that commitment to do the job might as well get a little more fun out of it. Guess it is silly lol.
Is it silly to not do upgrades if I have to modify/repair anyways? Make that commitment to do the job might as well get a little more fun out of it. Guess it is silly lol.
It's not that simple though. If you are going to swap heads you might as well swap the cam, install headers, and get it chip tuned. Otherwise, the heads alone will yield very little gains. It is snowball affect. No to mention the cost of coolant, gaskets, etc. If you enjoy the car as it sits, just replace the seals and be done with it.
Last edited by ShiftyCapone; Jan 12, 2022 at 07:23 AM.
If you're not already using Valvoline Max Life full synthetic oil, then I'd suggest you start with that right now. If there's any life left in the seals, then this oil will revive them and cure the smoking at start up, and you'll be carrying on for many years to come. It's the cheapest and easiest thing you can do right now. It won't cure overnight, but you'll probably start noticing a difference by the next oil change interval.
But if you're already using it, and there's smoke, then the seals are too far gone.
I began using Max Life when it came out, around the year 2000, and my Formula's engine loved it! It's great for new engines, too, in which it will slow the aging process.
Since then, I've used it in all of my cars and trucks, all purchased brand new by me, from their first oil change, Max Life exclusively, and I've put over a million flawless miles on them, collectively, with no runs, no drips, no errors, so to speak, and no burning.
My current daily driver has 337,000 miles of clean, smooth operation, and it's still going strong. Here's a pic of its odometer from last week, January 3rd. I click pics every 10,000 miles nowadays, but I couldn't resist this mileage.
I put 309,000 on my previous daily driver, then I gave it to a friend after I bought this one, and it still runs flawlessly for him after his 6 years with it. No idea what oil he uses, but at least a lifetime on Max Life left the engine in excellent condition for it to keep going for a long time to come.
But if you're really wanting to install new heads, the Trickflow heads that aliceempire linked above are the best heads you can get for a 305. They outflow the C4 aluminum 113 heads by A LOT.
Even if you decide to only change the seals in your current heads, start them off right with Max Life, and you'll never look back.
But whatever you decide, at least, start now with Max Life and see if things improve before you make any major changes... unless you simply WANT to make the major changes anyway.
And if you want to swap heads anyway, I get that too. It'll be fun. But if you're going to keep the stock cam, then, at least, install 1.6 rockers on the new heads to get some advantage out of their increased airflow.
If you're not already using Valvoline Max Life full synthetic oil, then I'd suggest you start with that right now. If there's any life left in the seals, then this oil will revive them and cure the smoking at start up, and you'll be carrying on for many years to come. It's the cheapest and easiest thing you can do right now. It won't cure overnight, but you'll probably start noticing a difference by the next oil change interval.
But if you're already using it, and there's smoke, then the seals are too far gone.
I began using Max Life when it came out, around the year 2000, and my Formula's engine loved it! It's great for new engines, too, in which it will slow the aging process.
Since then, I've used it in all of my cars and trucks, all purchased brand new by me, from their first oil change, Max Life exclusively, and I've put over a million flawless miles on them, collectively, with no runs, no drips, no errors, so to speak, and no burning.
My current daily driver has 337,000 miles of clean, smooth operation, and it's still going strong. Here's a pic of its odometer from last week, January 3rd. I click pics every 10,000 miles nowadays, but I couldn't resist this mileage.
I put 309,000 on my previous daily driver, then I gave it to a friend after I bought this one, and it still runs flawlessly for him after his 6 years with it. No idea what oil he uses, but at least a lifetime on Max Life left the engine in excellent condition for it to keep going for a long time to come.
But if you're really wanting to install new heads, the Trickflow heads that aliceempire linked above are the best heads you can get for a 305. They outflow the C4 aluminum 113 heads by A LOT.
Even if you decide to only change the seals in your current heads, start them off right with Max Life, and you'll never look back.
But whatever you decide, at least, start now with Max Life and see if things improve before you make any major changes... unless you simply WANT to make the major changes anyway.
And if you want to swap heads anyway, I get that too. It'll be fun. But if you're going to keep the stock cam, then, at least, install 1.6 rockers on the new heads to get some advantage out of their increased airflow.
I used Valvoline but just the regular conventional. And it helped A LOT. So honestly maybe switching to synthetic it may help not sure. I’ll keep that in mind thanks! As for the rockers yea that was in the plan too!
