rebuilt engine burning oil while idling

[grasshopper]

Hi all. I have rebuilt a 1756cc engine. Sent the block into machine shop to prepare for new piston rings. Installed high comp pistons. Re assembled the block. The head I used is from another engine. The head was rebuilt many years ago. It did not have many miles on it but it did sit in my garage for over 10 years without running. The engine seems to be burning oil when idling. I still have not broken the engine in but this amount of smoke concerns me. I don't think I did anything wrong while re assembling the block. Could it be the valve seals since this head has not been in use for a long time ? Can faulty valve seals cause quite a bit of smoke while idling ? This is really freaking me out..

[joelittel]

Can you identify where the smoke is specifically coming from?

Is the smoke coming out through the exhaust only?

Did you install any new engine parts that have paint on them, like a header?

Are you sure it’s smoke and not coolant being cooked off?

[GeorgeT]

You may have to run it a while to "seat" the rings.

[grasshopper]

The smoke is coming out of the exhaust pipe. Nothing on the engine itself is smoking. Smoke is blue.Looks like an old engine burning oil. Again, bottom end is rebuilt. This is a performance engine,,,higher comp pistons,,rally cams etc,,,dual carbs,,etc. Again,i did not rebuild the head. It was taken from a previous motor that had little miles on it but it had sat in my garage for probably 12 years or so. I really hope it is not the pistons or piston rings.

[joelittel]

It’s really easy to install the piston rings upside down, any way to retrace your steps to be sure they are installed correctly?

[grasshopper]

I'm pretty sure I installed the rings correctly. Only way of knowing for sure I guess is to rip apart the engine. I am hoping I rebuilt the block correctly. Best I can bet is that it may be that the head wasn't used in many years and the valve seals may be at fault. Any more thoughts ?

[joelittel]

Smoke makes me think oil.

The valves let air and fuel in and exhaust gases out of the engine. I don’t think the valves are your issue. But I’m not an expert either.

A cylinder head that isn’t properly torqued down could let oil into the cylinders, and maybe even into the exhaust header which would smoke I’m sure.

[joelittel]

You said valve seals, sorry I missed that detail.

Not sure about how much oil would/could come through the seals