Help, leaking oil, smoke, and no pickup, engine shaking a lot Options

[Akimbo]

Need someone mechanically inclined...I rarely ask for help because I'm not exactly 6GC's poster boy.

My car recently started freaking out...it has no pickup, which initially led me to think that I was down a cylinder. After talking to a friend, he said I was having a dead miss. I wasn't sure what that was, but I think it means a spark plug isn't firing. Anyone care to elaborate on this?

Also, my engine is leaking oil pretty bad. It's visible on the lower part of the engine, and it drips under the chasis. When the motor gets hot enough, it burns it off and creates embarassing blue smoke coming from under the hood.

Are the two related? I know I need a new air filter, but that's kind of unrelated.

Only things I can think of is spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and maybe the gaskets. Any advice would be great, I moved to Florida and I don't know any mechanics yet...

[Random_Stranger]

check the oil filter. I recently changed mine with this problem and surprisingly, the dodos at the shop didn't tighten it. I just replaced it when I did my oil change. Because smoke was coming out from under my hood and I traced it down to the filter. After I changed it, the rest burnt off and it is good now.

For the lack of pickup, mine was doing that when the clutch was slipping. If no rubbing feeling/sound from the clutch, then maybe your friend is right about the spark plug. I dunno know a whole lot, but your spark plugs ignite air and fuel within the chamber. Maybe there is a leak there somewhere? I dunno. Check/Change those spark plugs though.