Having white smoke coming from the front header, smells like oil when i stop after driving. would it be the head gasket or valve cover? or both?

 

I doubt a head gasket, my guess is more a valve cover or who ever changed the oil last spilled a bunch.
Pop the hood and look around for where it's trailing from.

 

Valve cover is a pretty common leak. I would suspect that first

 

X2 on the Valve cover

 

There was actually a recall on our cars up to 2003 I believe for an issue related to this. It is likely the valve cover. The recall was to replace the spark plug wire guides with clips as the front valve cover was leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold and the wire guide was holding oil causing a potential fire hazard.

edit: someone else actually made a post with a link to the recall info, here is the link to that thread:
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/ge...v6-cars-13054/

 

I'm not 100% certain, but I think the oil drip-age that resulted in the recall was due to people spilling oil on the engine and the removal of the plug wire guide was a "preventative" measure. Again, not 100% sure.

FYI - That wire retainer has been used since the mid-90's (or earlier). It even appears on the old 3300 v6.

 

Most likely the valve cover gasket

 

Yes I am aware of the use of the wire retainer. But the recall was due to oil leaking from the front valve cover though yes some people did spill some oil and the guide would hold some of the oil then too.

 

i replaced the front valve cover gasket, cleaned the engine twice with degreaser, and still get smoke from the front headers, smells more like plastic now. could that be the oil thats baked on the header still coming off or do i have another problem here.