I did a search, didn't really find anything I havn't changed or replaced, realted to my problem. So here goes:

Well, after a completenew head, gaskets, and everything in between just about, my car was finally running. Now, I took it for a drive, runs fine, no stuttering, no problems, nothing. As soon as I get home and turn it off, it starts to smoke really badly, from the back of the engine, looks like from the valve cover or head. What could cause this? I torqued the cover down to 3.3 -> 6.6 -> 8.9 like chilton says, but I don't know. It doesn't leak oil, I am installing a new temp sensor because the old one breaks, just to make sure it isn't over heating. Even if it is what could cause this? I have new coolant, oil, oil filter, plugs gapped to .48, thermostat looks fine, but I have no clue how they suppose to look really. Is there anything else I should check for? I am at a loss, I don't really know what else it could be, aside from a blown engine, but I don't even race or abuse it.

Just some info on the engines life:
89,xxx miles.
All belts replaced.
Hoses checked and replaced.
Oil change synthetic every 5k mile or 3 months, which ever first.
No racing, or abuse, it's automatic.


Thanks for any help in advance.

Sal

valve cover gasket possibly, I pinched mine the first time I installed it and it smoked just like that, it was sticking out from the valve cover. popped the vc off and put it back into place and it was all good.

Depending on the true source, and amount of smoke, it could just be parts burn off. When you do the work a lot of times it will smoke till the coolant or oil burns off the parts. Did you see any of this smoke at the initial startup after putting it back together? How much smoke are we talking about?

I had let it burn off for about 10 mins before driving, but when I came home and shut off the car the smoke came back, and it's light, very little, couldn't even see it untill I popped the hood. II havn't drove it today, soI am not sure if it continues yet. I will double check the vc gasket.