1991 Caprice Smoke coming from Crankcase. Help!

[STB]

This is the problem. I got a '91 Caprice 5.0 305, it used to be a police intercepter. I had a friend who works at a Chevy dealer and he came over and told me I had a Leak at the Valve Cover and told me I needed a Valve cover gasket. So, I went and got a gasket. Had to take this off and that off and took me about 3 hours to do it(1st time doing it) and I went to drive it and I could smell smoke.I open the hood and saw alittle smoke coming from the Right side of the engine ( But I put the gasket on the Left side). So, in my Caprice there is a needle OIL GAUGE inside and it has 0-30-60 in the middle is 30 and it floats under 30. It runs good and the OIL dipstick is showing that it is filled. But there is little drops of oil that leaks over the drain plug under the Caprice. The Filter in on tight and the plug is on tight. I don't have a freakin' clue what is going on. Thanks for the Help if possible.

[chaney3000]

You put the valve cover gasket on the opposite side of the leak. Always replace both valve cover gaskets at the same time. It will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
First thing, go pressure/ steam clean your engine at a carwash to get all the old oil off so you can see where the leak is coming from. Look around the valves and the PCV valve to make sure they aren't leaking. Next look lower to make sure your oil pan gasket is not leaking. Hopefully, your rear main seal isn't leaking.

[STB]

The leak was on the left side (passenger) and put the new gasket on the left side (passenger). I check the gasket that I put on and it is not leaking. Check the PCV valve and that is o.k.. I put new clamps on all hoses that I had to disconnect to get to the Valve cover. And I check the oil drain plug and the filter again and both are tight and not leaking. Check the dipstick and it shows the same amount it has always shown, FULL. I don't understand what is the problem.

[Morley]

Back side of the intake manifold may be leaking. With the engine cool, run your fingers along the seam between the engine block and intake in the back and see if your come up oily. If so...have fun, I hate changing intakes on carb cars.

[HLandin]

What makes changing the intake gaskets more work on carbs than a fuel injected version?

[1986Z28]

alot more little connections and crap like that

[STB]

Hey Dude, How much did it cost to fix up you Caprice like that? Mine is pure white and it has 155,000 miles on it. I got it from a old man I used to help that Willed it to me when he past away. I would like to fix it all the way up, and drop a bigger engine in it and the whole nine yards.

[STB]

I checked it again and I don't understand. If it was leaking shouldn't it be loosing on the dipstick? The Dipstick says it is Full.

[PeteA216]

odds are its a slow leak, and you won't notice it for a little while. Mine used ta leak tons of oil all over my driveway from the oil pan gasket, and it took about a month for the oil level to go down a quart.

[Morley]

Originally Posted by STB

I checked it again and I don't understand. If it was leaking shouldn't it be loosing on the dipstick? The Dipstick says it is Full.

just a little bit of nice black oil will go a long ways when on the ground