SScearce

I got an 85 z28 and I've got some burnt rings, thinking of just going all the way with a rebuild kit, anyone have any suggestions on what to go with?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

What do you mean by "burnt rings"? Worn out? Ruined by detonation?

My suggestion would be to get a 350 shortblock and rebuild that.

SScearce

I'm not sure I'm new to motors really, and everyones telling me that all this oil around my plugs and in the plug wells was due to burnt piston ringss

Apeiron

Sounds more like leaking plugs than leaking rings.

SScearce

so how can i find out exactly what the problem was, and i already checked the valve covers and everything, was afraid that maybe they were leaking and dripping down into the wells but it doesnt seem to be.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

How well has the car been maintained, oil changes, tune-ups, etc.? These 305's are pretty stout when given basic and regular maintenance.

One thing that doesn't hold up well is the valve stem seals. They get hard with age/heat/petroleum-based oil, crack and no longer do their job. Have you noticed some whitish-blue smoke when you start the engine warm after being shut off for 15 minutes or so? Oil consumption a little high? Classic signs of failed valve stem seals.

They can be replaced by removing spark plugs, valve covers, and rocker arms, then holding the valves of one cylinder at a time closed by either applying air pressure to the cylinder through the spark plug hole (adapters available for that), or running small rope through the spark plug hole, bringing the piston to the top of the cylinder, then compressing the valve spring to remove the retainer. Then the valve stem seal can be replaced.

This has been discussed numerous times on the Board, so a search should find you plenty of details. That's a lot simpler than rebuilding the engine, especially when the engine most likely doesn't need rebuilding.