Another cam tower post...

[bran100]

I think I'll replace the cam tower gaskets soon as the burnt smoke on the exhaust manifold is getting annoying (definitely the cam tower). I have an '82 FI with about 160k miles with no major engine work ever being performed. The car starts and runs flawlessly, however I need more power. I think I'll drop in a new set of cams (Marc's 274FI?), however, I'm wondering how far I should dig into the motor.

Since it runs great, should I leave we'll enough alone and not touch the head or bottom end? The valve guides leak a bit as evidenced by the blue smoke only at startup if its been sitting for a week or so. Compression is solid and even across all cylinders.

I'm just a bit worried about ending up with a car that doesn't start or run as well as it does now.

Will I see a bit of boost with the new cams? Specs: 274 duration, .385 lift.

[narfire]

If it ain't broke, don't muck with it... saying that if you are going to put the 274 cams in (I have) I'd be recomending a set of adjustable cam gears and have the cams degreed in properly to the specs Marc gives you. Difference is night and day. I drove mine for a bit without being degreed in and then after.... You'll be re-shiming the valves as well.
If you have the where-with-all, perhaps source a decent 2L block and re-build over the summer when time and money is available. and then swap it in during the winter....if you live in a place that has a winter. Perhaps a $3-5000 build???