I have a 97 1500 4x4 with the 5.9. I have had it since it had 48,000 miles on it. It has 280,000 on it now. I have never rebuilt the engine or transmission in it. The engine starts right up and sounds great. The transmission shifts nicely and kicks down properly. On initial start-up, the truck will puff a little bit of blue smoke. I am certain that is the lack of valve stem seals. When I put a timing chain in it 80,000 miles ago, I noticed the crumbled valve stem seals in the bottom of the oil pan. I have never had the valve covers off of the truck, but I'm pretty sure there are no valve seals left at this point. If the truck is left to idle for an extended period (drive through, stop light) it will blow a decent cloud of blue smoke when I take off. I assumed this was due to the plenum gasket failure I always hear about. I did the test with disconnecting the PCV valve and checking for vacuum with the breather hose, and then looking inside of the intake for pooling oil. I didn't get any vacuum from the breather, and the plenum floor didn't have anything I would consider a puddle. I have always ran Valvoline Synthetic oil in it (now using the high mileage version) and it was very clean inside when I did the timing chain. Is it most likely that the rings are finally worn to the point that they can no longer inhibit oil blowby? Am Any other possibilities? I don't use the truck much anymore, but I don't want to leave a blue cloud at stop lights when I do use it.

 

Vacuum is highest at idle, so, not really a surprise that you get some oil buildup sitting in the drivethru. Valve seals really aren't that difficult to do, just tedious..... there are a lot of them.

 

I guess I never considered the valve stem seals to be that big of an issue. I have changed them on LA 318's before. I doubt they will be much different on a Magnum engine. Thanks.

 

LA engines had shaft style rockers, Magnums have pedestal mount. Aside from that, (and twice as many bolts on the valve covers....) Same process.