how to check valve seals and valve guides

My 350 is burning a bit of oil and am trying to pin point why its doing so. I checked to pcv valve and that is fine. My next step is to check the valves. I am unsure how to do so as I am a newbie to this. I know piston rings is a big part of oil burning too, but I dont want to think that yet. Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks
david

If you pick up a small block chevy rebuild manual or shop manual, it will list the specs for valve sideplay. You use a dial gauge against the valve stem and push the valve side to side. That measures valve guide wear.

As far as valve seals go, its more of an intuitive thing. Typically valve seal leaks will cause a large puff of smoke at startup, but mild to unnoticable smoke during running.

Thanks for the info. I can smell oil through my vents after i shut the engine off. Is there anything I can diagnose from that?

thanx
david

That sounds like a simple oil leak. The engine burns off oil that leaks on its exterior, then the burning oil smell works its way to the cowl and into your vents.

well i think im burning about a quart every 1500-2000 miles i think. I havent quite tracked it yet due to not driving this vehicle much. But thats my best estimate at it. I changed the oil and drove for about 2000 miles and it was at the bottom of the fill mark.

thanx
david

It can pretty easily leak that much. I had an Olds that leaked a quart every 1000, but it only did it while you were on the road so it never really showed up as a big puddle under the car. If it were burning that much oil you would probably see blue smoke out the tailpipe.

Is there any real way to fix it?

1qt/2000 miles is pretty dang minor. I would definitely check for external leaks, but I wouldn't tear down the engine to solve such a minor issue

don't fix what ain't broken

ok. thanx. that answers my question.