What can i do to help fix oil burning?

Mileage? You may have simply worn it out, needs rings or valve guides, especially if you notice smoke upon start up. A 1985, if original, has served you well and has just lived it's life span.

30534 miles, but being an older truck i imagine the odometer has flipped at least once especially since it is my daily driver. There is a knocking in the engine itself which i believe is a lifter or a rod starting to go out, and it smokes terribly when started and usually doesn't stop until it's reached it's normal running temp (right around 200 degrees or so, been a while since the temp gauge has worked properly or even at all most times). There is no leak though i have checked for that and i know it's burning the oil because 1. the smoke is blue and 2. when the oil cap is removed after running for a while smoke pours out of it.

If you lived close to me I could give you a '79 305/7 with low miles. Not worth selling. As Tom said just check your local adds 305's are very cheap, everyone wants 350's. If it's a junkyard motor I usually want them to start it and show me before I buy it!!

quote:DavidH25 (Mileage? You may have simply worn it out, needs rings or valve guides, especially if you notice smoke upon start up. A 1985, if original, has served you well and has just lived it's life span. ) I have to agree. You can get the head's redone for around $150.- $250 that should take care of the valve guides valve seals. If you get a used motor then you have the head done and ready work. The 305/350 around of the 80's where known to have guides go bad now and then and when mile got up a bit.