Expert: Roger J.M. Warrington - 10/18/2005

Question
Hey there Roger,
I have a problem with my 305 Chev engine, I did a bottom end rebuild on it (main and rod bearings) as well as new head gaskets, didn't mess with the piston rings at all, compression was good before the tear down. After re-assembling the motor and putting it back in my truck it ran for a bout an hour and then started blowing smoke out the exhaust on the driver side only. I assumed blown oil ring but when I pulled the plugs on that side of the engine I had oil on all 4 plugs. There is no loss of power at all and the motor runs just fine, it's just blowing a lot of smoke. I'm also having a problem with torque converter drainback but I suspect the two are un-related. Could I be looking at a slipped headgasket or warped head? Any suggestions would be great.

(Engine is in a 2wd 1979 C-10, TH350 Trans, Chev 350 aluminum intake and 4bbl Rochester Q-jet. 2.5 dual exhaust)

Answer
HI Dave
      Wow a bummer,The valve seals are good right, I wonder if you took a comp. test on that side,   when it comes from the whole side it is mostly from the intake      but if you did remove the heads than I think I would look for a bad head gasket or intake gasket, it is not just one cyld. you say the whole side right, so if you did remove the heads than I would think it is a gasket. OK let me know ok.I doubt its a warped head  as I have never seen that but only once , and if you had no trouble prior than it should be fine ,I would look for gaskets first. and if it is gray-blue its oil if its a white its water .
Roger