i did an LS/vtec conversion and now the car ticks loudly, the valves are adjusted but it ticks and oil smokes out of the exhaust.

could the head gasket being on upside down cause this?

 

how long ago u do the valve lash adj? they loosen easy... id re check them.. shouldn't take too long.. unless they are loose.. and im sure they might be.
uhh... the gasket i guess small posibility to cause burning oil.. if u decide to remove the head.. check your valve seats and seals. pop ur valve out a bit.. after taking out the locks and wiggle the valve that will tell you if your seats are bad. replace the seals anyhow.

 

could be headgasket (if its your headgasket you might also be loosing coolant (correct me if im wrong), rings, valves.. etc

 

valve seals were replaced when the machine shop resurfaced the head. i just adjusted the lash.