Ok, So I bought my 88 Camaro a couple of days ago and took it through for an emissions check today. It's a 305 TBI. They wouldn't even do the test because they said it was smoking too much. Not sure the color of the smoke, white or blue because I haven't seen it myself. So what is the most likely cause of smoke coming out of the exhaust? My best guess was the valve stem seals, so I ordered those along with a head gasket kit and head bolts. Total came to $105, so I hope this fixes it.

Do you guys think this might be the cause and fix the problem, or is it most likely the piston rings? Also, what kind of work am I looking at to replace the head gaskets?
Thanks

 

One more question...
Can I replace the bearings and pistons with the block still in the car? Serious question, because I've done this on other vehicles myself.

 

if it was smoking while running, its most likely rings. if its blue smoke at start up, valve seals. as for doing it in the car, im sure is possible if you want to do it, but it will be very difficult. the motor needs to be unbolted from the mounts just to get the oil pan off. its one of those jobs that if your are going that far, you might as well pull it out and make it easier. but if you are replacing pistons, you should have the block machined. if you dont want to go that far, i recommend getting (or borrowing) a ball hone to get the cross hatch back into the cylinders and just install new rings. it wont lost as long as a full rebuild, but should be good for another 30-40k miles

as for just the head gaskets, its moderatly difficult. they are heavy, but arent blocked. thats another one that if you are at it, you could throw on a set of shorty headers too

 

find yourself a good low mileage 350 and put it in.

 

Thanks for the response's. Here is another dumb question... Can I take a 350 out of any chevy and rebuild it? Or does it have to be out of another Camaro? Will any 350 bolt up to the trans and the stock motor mounts? Is the 350 something I can find in a junk yard and fix up? Thanks. And do I need to convert to TPI? I have TBI currently.

 

there the same block. the heads changed a little in 87 if i remember right the heads are interchangable but the intake has to be for the heads. now transmissions have been giving me fits cause chevy has used so many different styles. with that in mind i would say the tranny will bolt up. add to that depending on the tranny it may not last. lol

 

1. Yes, a changeover willl be easy as long as it's a gen 1 style (non LT/LS) engine.
2. No
3. Yes, refer to #1
4. Yes, and if by "fix up" you mean rebuild, that depends on your mechanical abilities.
5. No, you can keep your existing setup if you want, unless you wind up with a Vortec engine.