I have been trying to pin down the source of my oil usage. I am currently burning 1 Qt GC in 200 miles. I have a 99 Camaro 383 stroker with a LS6 valley cover 230/237 112 LSA cam. I orgionally suspcted the PCV so I put breathers on the Passenger valve cover and the LS6 valley cover the driver side valve cover is plugged. I am now leaning twords the valve seals. I don't get smoke at WOT and don't get any crankcase suction. My questions are what tests should I do prior to opening the engine to confirm this? Does the type of cam that I have put major stress on the seals? If so, Is there better type of seals to put in? Would it be wise to replace the valve guides/seats also? Is there any other issue that I haven't considered?


Thanks

 

Maybe I missed it in the post, but are your heads ported? I'm assuming they are with a 383. If so, do the rocker bolts extend into the intake runners?

If so, did you seal them up good? Loctite won't be enough...use Indian Head sealant from a good autoparts store.

Mine smoked after my H/C swap and I couldn't figure out why. Turned out oil was seeping through the rocker bolt holes and getting into the runners.

A little sealant and the consumption stopped.

 

I am running stock heads not ported, but I still intend to put sealant on the threads.

 

Sealant on the rocker bolts is a good idea, but I don't think that's the source of your consumption.

Basically as you've stated, I'd probably look at the seals next.

Good luck.

 

Is there a better seal to use or are all the seals just the same? Also I assume if the seals are replaced most likely the guides would not need replacing.

 

Re: seal brands...I'm not sure. I'm sure there are better out there, but if you're running stock GM heads, I'd probably opt to go that route. Checking with a sponsor might be a good idea though - just to get their $0.02.

I would also assume the guides are still fine. Unless something mechanically related went wrong resulting in damage to them, or they're simply excessively worn from mileage.

I'd shoot for seals first though...

How many miles are on the motor?

 

Pull the intake and see if there is oil on the valve stems and backside of the valve heads. There is a newer gm valve seal that is blue, I'm getting ready to swap those on my heads to cure my problem which is simular to yours.

 

Good idea and good info there....never thought of checking like that.

 

The motor has low miles 2000-3000 or so but all the miles are at the road racetrack I origionally had it in a full racecar and always ran a accusump with it. I just swaped it into a 2001 street Camaro. I love the idea about the intake manifold I will do that immediately. Do you have a part number on the blue seals.

 

No, sorry as I got them fom Jason at Texas Speed

 

If your valves seals are causing you to lose a quart every 200 miles you would see a good bit of white smoke out the tailpipe on deceleration. Is it smoking at all?

 

I didn't notice it, but I was going to go down the interstate with another car next to me and observe it.