I have recently acquired a 1982 Honda Civic Wagon, 185 k miles, religious oil changes (per service records). It's due for timing belt. Car sat for 3 years without bieng started, I have installed a new (rebuilt) carb and EGR valve (restrictor on EGR valve not installed... ), also new plugs, wires, cap & rotor, runs and idles fine, but burns oil. Almost none at idle, increasing with acceleration, also at decelleration. Compression is an incredible 187-191 across all cylinders, no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil. I've been thinking sticky oil rings, but so far my homebrewed fix for that hasn't worked (2-cycle oil in spark plug holes then let soak, this is at the recommendation of my mechanical friend, who knows more than I do... ). I recently heard mentioned that the advanced (for 1982) smog control design on these cars can fail and thus cause the problem I am having with the car, but is repairable for a few hundred bucks. "Smoking after idle" was the diagnostic term used. Anybody out there know about this? Thanks a lot.

Yeah it sounds like the smog control needs fixed, otherwise, 2 cycle oil really doesn't help sticking rings, now marvel mystery oil, can unstick them after a while.

A couple of questions (I had an 80 civic that did the same thing and I kick myself every time I hear the same symptoms) Are you getting any amount of oil in your air filter chamber? If so, one or more of your plugs have fouled out and need replacing. Or you aren't getting spark to one of them and you need to make sure all of the wires leading to the spark plug fit securley to allow the spark to happen.(a timing light will let you know if your wire is bad) Also pull the distributer cap and check the rotor and cap prongs for signs of detonation (if you see charred marks replace ) This should and in all possibility of what you described is 95% of your problem.

I think I know what your problem could be.
On the earlier Hondas they had a 3 valve system in the head,you had your intake and exhaust valves per each cylinder and the valve seals probably need replaced which is fairly a simple job if you know how to do it.
But there is also a 3rd valve system in the head also which they call the auxiliary valve, This is where I bet most of your problem is,They install on top of the head under the valve cover, They are a whole unit and they have two or three o-rings around each assembly that go bad plus the valves usually carbon up solid. Check it out and let me know. I also have compleate shop manual on this car. I also have a 1982 civic wagon also. I would like to buy one that was restored if you know where I can find one.