1987 nova help please

[ragnregan]

I own a 1987 Chevy Nova. I got it for my 16th birthday and it has been a good car to me...with a few problems...first of all, it smokes out the tailpipe like none-other. It's really embarassing and I don't know what I can do to fix it. And also, the more pressing problem, is that it's dead right now. I do not drive it much because I'm at college and I usually walk. But when I tried to start it the other day, nothing...so, I borrowed Cables to jump it, and yes, I know how to use jumper cables...but when i put them on, and the other car was started, my car started smoking from either the altinator or just underneath it. I am far from home, so this is not a problem that my dad can just come and fix. I was wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom about my favorite car.
~Regan

[aaron7]

No offence man, but I say junk it. Or buy one with a good motor and swap parts. Sounds like your piston rings are gone, and that requires you to take the motor out and strip it down.