Smoke From Engine

I recently changed the valve cover gaskets on my 86 560. Ever since the change I have been getting a substantial amount of smoke from what looks like the rear part of the engine.

I tightened the valve covers and it seems that less smoke is forming. However, I am alarmed by the continued smoke. Smells like burning oil.

I wonder if it has to do with some residual oil that leaked when I opened the valve covers. Or is it perhaps more complex and serious? This was not an issue prior to me opening the valve covers. Also noticable oil leak undnerneath the front of car when it's parked now.

[G-Benz]

Perhaps your valve cover gasket is not seated properly...any kink or aberration evident in the gasket when mating the two surfaces together will leave a small gap...sufficient at high oil pressures to cause oil seepage.

I had a similar experience with a former car. It didn't leak oil, but I was in the process of dressing the car up. So I had the valve cover polished, and reinstalled with a new gasket, but then, I started noticing smoke coming out of the engine compartment. The leak was near the rear of the engine, and oil consumption was noticeable (as well as the pool of oil under the car when parked).

Pulled cover off, tried again with new gasket (carefully, this time), and all oil-related problems disappeared!

The gaskets are brand new. Do you suggest replacing the new ones? Also, what should be the proper torque for the valve covers? Is there a special wrench for something like that or is it done by feel?