289 smoke in valve covers not out of tailpipe what to do?

[doug68hoss]

hello..
the problem
my 65 coupe with a 289 has really bad and missing
valve seals.engine has like 90.ooo original miles.
i cant open it up to deeply right now..
the car smokes out of the tube that comes out of the
valve cover and is thus using oil,,,,seals are leaking bad there.
if i replace the valve seals will it fix most of this smoke and oil usage?
yes i know there are also things like blow by .bad rings .seals etc.....i am tryng to identity the smoke
like blow by would be evident at the tailpipe instead
right?

but the smoke is not coming out of the tailpipe..
and car runs well other wise..

so the question what is the most common reason and solutiion to the smoke coming out of the valve comers?
thanks so much..

 

[mustangchris]

Your top compression rings are blown, the oil rings are keeping the oil from burning too much, but exhaust is coming out the other way through the crank case.

 

[D.Hearne]

New valve seals will cure some of it. But if it's never been into, it needs at least an overhaul if for nothing else than to install new seals and gaskets. Same thing with my 68 Merc. 58,000 miles in 38 years and it leaked oil like crazy. When I pulled it apart, it needed at least one piston (busted ring lands from pinging) and one other was missing one skirt. Swapped two pistons from another identical set, honed the bores, installed new rings, bearings, seals & gaskets and it was good as new. Also swapped the cam for something warmer.