Took my 87 to go get her a smog check and failed due to visible smoke coming from the pipe. Just replaced the head gasket and all seals less than 500 miles ago... Checked the valve adjustment and all is good so what could be the burning? Been researching like crazy and need some help.

 

Did it just start? Or it started smoking after you did the head gasket? Compression test?

 

Sometimes it takes a while to get coolant burned out of the muffler if your head gasket failure was bad enough. Usually white smoke though.


Coolant will also take out your O2 sensor. Make sure it gets changed.


Piston rings may be worn if you have a ton of miles on the engine. If they are, blow-by can put oil vapor into the intake.


Were the valve guides good? New seals help but may not be able to seal well if the guides are heavily worn.