Cylinder Head

My 72 MGB was smoking alot, so I removed the cylinder head to see how bad the damage was (i.e. rings, valves, .....etc) . When I got to the gasket I saw there were trails of oil leading from 2 of the push rods to 2 of the pistons, and the tops of said pistons had burnt oil on them.
My question is: would replacing the gasket be a viable fix, with out going any further? And is it normal for oil to pass through the push rod openings?
I am new to engine work and don't want to get in over my head just yet.
Thanks

I'd bet on bad valve seals or piston rings putting carbon on the pistons. The oil you saw from the push rod holes to the cylinders couldn't have been there before you removed the gasket. Head gaskets blow out, not in. You would have had so much pressure blowing into the crankcase oil would have been blowing out all over everything. If you can feel a ring ridge at the tops of the cylinders that feels about the thickness of a business card, in any area, your piston rings are definately shot and you're ready for a complete overhaul with a cylinder bore job.

Yea John, they're right at the top of the cylinder, about a half inch long and the thickness you said. Looks like a have a lot of work to do this summer.



Thanks for the tip.