The Ford Barn

JT FORD · 04-19-2021, 10:47 AM

Looking to purchase a Tester. Harbor Freight has them from @17.00 and up.
They are China I'm sure and may not be much good! NAPA has one for $45.00. Anyone have a Napa tester???? Good or Bad?

Russ/40 · 04-19-2021, 11:08 AM

Paying attention to technique is probably more important than China vs USA. Good cranking speed, the number of cycles and open throttle and the use of lubricants are what's important. I suggest you buy "better" or higher level at HF or the NAPA one. Either will serve you for a lifetime.

Will D · 04-19-2021, 01:56 PM

I've got the Chinese made one from princess auto(your harbor freight equivalent). Works fine. Compared readings with a buddies more expensive brand, no difference.

JayChicago · 04-19-2021, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ/40

Good cranking speed, the number of cycles and open throttle and the use of lubricants are what's important.

Russ: What do you mean by "use of lubricants" ?

V8COOPMAN · 04-19-2021, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayChicago

Russ: What do you mean by "use of lubricants" ?

After testing and getting some LOW readings, some folks will squirt a shot of oil in the cylinder to see if that will help raise the readings, in the case of worn-out COMPRESSION rings. It doesn't 'fix' anything, but can help to verify bad comp rings. DD

Talkwrench · 04-19-2021, 07:14 PM

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Make sure its a screw in type. I still have my American made ABW one, spot on .
And while you're at it make sure you have a good vacuum gauge too..

Tinker · 04-19-2021, 07:16 PM

It's hard to say if the HF version will be good or not. I find most things from there either work great or break the first time you use it. There is a lot of companies that sell compression testers. Napa probably is a good bet. Probably a good chance they are all made in china. You can ask Napa, and if they are not. Buy it.

Snyder's Model A sells a 14mm to 18mm adapter to run 14mm plugs in a model a. You can buy one to use when you compression test your early ford.

Lastly, if budget is an issue. Autozone (probably others) loan tools for free. They charge a hold on your credit card till you bring it back and then they refund it.

Best of luck!
.

04-19-2021, 10:47 AM	#1
JT FORD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.W. Iowa Posts: 306	Compression Tester Looking to purchase a Tester. Harbor Freight has them from @17.00 and up. They are China I'm sure and may not be much good! NAPA has one for $45.00. Anyone have a Napa tester???? Good or Bad?

04-19-2021, 11:08 AM	#2
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Compression Tester Paying attention to technique is probably more important than China vs USA. Good cranking speed, the number of cycles and open throttle and the use of lubricants are what's important. I suggest you buy "better" or higher level at HF or the NAPA one. Either will serve you for a lifetime.

04-19-2021, 01:56 PM	#3
Will D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: BC Canada Posts: 573	Re: Compression Tester I've got the Chinese made one from princess auto(your harbor freight equivalent). Works fine. Compared readings with a buddies more expensive brand, no difference. __________________ Sometimes, ingenuity gets in the way of sense and sanity.

04-19-2021, 07:14 PM	#6
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,708	Re: Compression Tester Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Make sure its a screw in type. I still have my American made ABW one, spot on . And while you're at it make sure you have a good vacuum gauge too.. __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

04-19-2021, 07:16 PM	#7
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,063	Re: Compression Tester It's hard to say if the HF version will be good or not. I find most things from there either work great or break the first time you use it. There is a lot of companies that sell compression testers. Napa probably is a good bet. Probably a good chance they are all made in china. You can ask Napa, and if they are not. Buy it. Snyder's Model A sells a 14mm to 18mm adapter to run 14mm plugs in a model a. You can buy one to use when you compression test your early ford. Lastly, if budget is an issue. Autozone (probably others) loan tools for free. They charge a hold on your credit card till you bring it back and then they refund it. Best of luck! .