I have just installed a new head gasket on my 1992 740 Wagon non-turbo. Never done any car job so meaty as this before. I took my time, was careful, did everything by the book and was reasonable satisfied I had done a decent job. I just started it up -- started absolutely fine -- no problem. Ran the engine in the driveway for 2 - 5 minutes, revved the engine and everything seemed fine.

BUT then I noticed some light smoke coming from the exhaust manifold area -- as though oil drip was burning off from a hot manifold (smelled kind of oily). However, I was not able to locate the source of the smoke. I shut off the engine, retorqued the exhaust manifold nuts a bit and ran the engine again for 2 - 5 minutes with similar results. I shut off the engine and called it a day.

1) What could be going on here?
2) Is this usual for a new head gasket to have such issues "wearing in"?
3) What should I do next / look for?
4) I'm tempted to open up the cam cover and retorque the cylinder head bolts a bit. Good idea?
5) Or should I give it time, take it for a spin and just see how it goes?

[BTW -- I had the head resurfaced, I was careful about cleaning up the exposed block and the piston crowns. I obtained decent gaskets from IPD did not use any sealant on the head gasket, OR the intake manifold gaskets OR the exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold was a pain to get off and a pain to get on -- I had to persuade it on with a rubber mallet, 2 x 2 wooden chisel, and gradual tightening of the (new IPD) exhaust manifold nuts for a couple of hours. I think I did a decent job of tightening the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head.]

Thanks,