my z that i just got running 74 260z, i changed the oil today and now its poofing blue smoke, it did it before the oil change but not bad at all now it looks like one of those chrystler minivans i put valvoline max life 10w-30 in it and a can of restore, i dont know if its ever been rebuild so i dont know if it has harded valve guides or not need ideas please!!

am I the only one using 20W-50 oil?

is that what they recommend or is it a quick fix? the repair manual i have says 10w-30 for the weather i have here.

Your last oil probaly had a bottle of no smoke stuff added to it to hide the engine wear problem thats causeing it to smoke in the first place.

that would not suprise me at all. i do know that car sat for about 8 months before i got it to so that could be a factor as well, whats the recommended weight oil to put in it?

a couple things to ponder....

1)did you fill it to high??? just kiddin

2) 10w-30 is recommended for your weather but, they don't take into account - your driving.. if your a high revver like me, you might want to think about 20-50 or a high milage oil w/ a BOTTLE of HYPER-LUBE (ITS SUPER THICK AND MADE FOR SMOKING OR WORN MOTORS) ESPECIALLY IF YOUR WEATHER IS HOT!

3) Might be a good time for a valve adjustment, and a pressure test on each cylinder, Just for fun.....(you know ya love it )

thats just it i put the maxlife oil in there. and a can of restore, could the headgasket be broken on a oil passage to a cylinder?

not knowing the history of the car in question, if the car has sat for a while

1) the rings could be worn

2) the head gasket could have a passage leak

3) a leaky valve or deposit in the valve seat

a pressure test will identify a ring or valve problem

keep looking and good luck

what are you looking at as for miles on the engine? 10w30 is the recommended oil , you could go with 20w40 but I wouldent go any thicker. Thicker only limits oil passage and lub. Since you have just started the engine after it has been setting , have patience and drive it a while before you start tearing in to it . Of cource it wont hurt to do a compression test or a leak down test. that will tell you alot . When you changed the oil , what did the old oil look like? Was it black and thick ? Now that you change the oil and driven it some what does the oil look like now ? Is it still clean after a 100 miles or is it dirty already. My Wife's camery just turned 100,000 mi and when I change the oil , which is every 3K , I can check the oil at 1000 miles and it is still clean to the point that I need to hold it dip stick to the light to see the oil on the stick. The same on my 240 engine only it has more miles on it and it is a little dirtyer . So if you have a dirty eigine and low compression you most likely and looking at a rebuild. The best of luck . Blue smoke does sound like rings , if only at start up I would think valve guide seals.

well i got it stoped smoking after i timed it, Was about 7 degrees off.... now all thats left it to tune the carbs.

Ok if its stem seals try this

Let it idle warm for 2-3minutes no accelrator.

then put your foot flat to the floor if its the stem seal it will smoke like a mofo

well its still smokes but now its upon accell now and seems to keep doing it under load but not while idleing i pulled the plug and while they are sooty black but there is no oil on them, could it be the valve stems? i havent got a comprestion tester but i might beable to get one to check