seal or guide on 3.8?
 

run the 380sl and at start up smokes, after a stop light it also smokes pretty bad but when stepping on it after the smoke has cleared from a stop it is hard to see any smoke, does this help identify a bad cylinder seal or a bad guide. 1 of them is acting up. any ideas? Thanks

Seals are common, and can be done without removing the heads (think $400-$600). This will likely solve your problem.

If new seals fix the problem only for a short time, the guides are shot. They can also be checked for clearance when the seals are being replaced.

A valve job on a 380 can be VERY expensive due to damage to the threads in the block when the headbolts are removed.

Peter