1984 k20 4x4 350 blow by question

[SFord]

Im not sure what this is,but I have a smoky mist coming from the tube that comes from my valve cover and goes to the bottom of my breather. What causes this? I know it cant be good.Anything yall know that I can do to fix it,cheap n easy? I aint no mechanic,but can pull off a little shade tree stuff.By the way, I got a 350,aluminum intake w/4 bbl holley.It has a fairly lumpy idle,but I dont know what cam specs are.Its got the double hump heads,but I bought it like it is,so thats about all I know about it. Any help will be preciated.Thanks.

[Lt.Del]

Change your PCV valve recently?

[SFord]

I havent tried yet,but I will tomorrow. Thanks.

[SFord]

new pcv valve,still got blow by

[choptop]

worn valve guides or rings possibly. How bad is it and how many miles do you have on it?

[SFord]

I aint sure as to the miles,but would guess around 60k on engine. The blow by is moderate,but it aint lost any power.

[TexasRed]

When's the last time's the oil's been changed? Have you tried 20w50?

[VileZambonie]

Do a dry and wet compression test

[SFord]

oil has been changed bout 1k ago. I dont know the difference on them tests vile,can you elaborate?

[frogman68]

oil has been changed bout 1k ago. I dont know the difference on them tests vile,can you elaborate?

Dry is just a regular compression test

Wet is when you squirt some oil in the cylinder than run the compression test.

[SFord]

ok. I aint done either,but this gives me something to go on.Will post after test,thanks.

[Donut]

After re-reading your engine description, do you still have the OEM valve covers on there? 
It just clicked into my head that some aftermarket covers don't have the baffles in the oil breather holes.  This could cause oil to migrate up.

[SFord]

The valve covers are stock.Do I need aftermarket v.covers?

[Donut]

No, I was just saying some of the aftermarket valve covers didn't have the oil baffles in them.

FWIW, the blowby in mine was so bad that I left the air tube and filter off the air cleaner, and it wasn't long before my windshield was covered in a fine film of oil.  She was smoking out the breather tube bad enough it would put an old Mack to shame.