Head rebuilds?
 

Hey all, my 2000 sport has a nasty habit and I want to take it to therapy. I was thinking of buying a set of used heads and having them rebuilt, new seals, cams, lash adjusters, valve job, valve stem seals, the works basically. My current set of heads like to leak a bit of oil and it smokes when you let it idle for a bit (it gets worse with 10W-30 rather than 20W-50). Oil consumption is about 1/8-1/4 of a qt every 3000 miles. The plug readings were great when I changed the OEM plugs a few months ago. The next timing belt change in 45000 miles I will be doing the plugs, timing belt, water pump (mine was fine the last belt change). I just drove 1200 miles with it and it ran like a champ.

As far as I know these things drink oil as a natural part of their diet. A 1/4 a quart every 3000 miles doesn't sound outrageous to me. I guess it would come down to a money vs. how much it bothers you type of thing. If you've got the money, it certainly can't hurt to redo your heads, but as your plugs are clean, it seems like something that could be safely put off until it gets to the point where you can't ignore it any longer.

I was struck by your oil weight comment; My truck came with 20W-50 at 177,800 miles, yet I'm considering switching to a lighter 5W-30, as the manual recommends. Wonder if that'll cause more oil consumption and/or smoking? Guess I'll just have to find out....