[Dan in Pasadena]

Finally got around to taking my car into my wrench and putting it on the lift to see if we could find where the oil leak was coming from. Cam tower to head joint is the verdict. Oil leaks onto heat exchangers, mild to moderate smoke at stoplights as the oil burns off, I worry about a heat exchanger fire.

The car is '76 2.7 with 125,000 miles. No Thermal Reactors AND has had an 11 blade fan since early on. Never rebuilt as far as I know. Before I bought it about 1-1/2 year ago the studs were re-torqued by a reputable shop and held. It did not pull the studs as far as I know. I am sort of assuming that is a pertinent factlet to those who may offer some advise.

The discussion quickly became the slippery slope of, "since the cam towers are off you may as well do a valve job, which puts more stress on the rings, if you're gonna consider re-ringing, etc." Leading to a discussion of rebuilding the engine. NO smoke past rings that I can tell. No compression tests yet taken, no cylinder leakage tests yet taken.

I did a quick search in the Engine Rebuilding Forum and saw conflicting discussions of whether re-tightening the cam towers bolts will stop leaks and also a discussion of whether these type leaks are really that or rocker shaft seal leakage. I confess I don't really understand the latter.

Could REALLY use some advice from the pro's - Steve Weiner, Henry Schmidt, John Walker, Grady, and more. The wrench is a good guy but I suspect we may have gotten too serious about a rebuild before considering other options. All advice appreciated.