The Ford Barn

ap31 · 04-22-2012, 05:12 PM

I bought an engine that supposedly was a rebuilt several years back and minimal mileage.

I assembled everything and tried to start it and couldn't get more than 1 or 2 cylinders to fire.

Gas is getting there and good spark on all 4 plugs.

Soooooooo, I decided to do a compression test.

1 and 2 have 25lbs, and 3 & 4 have 45 lbs of compression.

What's next. I didn't see any signs of cracks when I assembled it.

Should I be pulling the head and the first 2 pistons?

TIA

James Rogers · 04-22-2012, 07:06 PM

Probably stuck valves or rings.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 04-22-2012, 07:16 PM

ap31,
Chief, my dad, taught me that to start an old dry engine, put about 2 tablespoons of 90 weight gear oil in each cylinder, let it sit for a couple of hours, spin it over with plugs out, then start it. The oil helps seal the rings & that will help raise the compression enough for it to start. ( VOROOM! ) Bill W.

Louis · 04-22-2012, 07:30 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

ap31,
Chief, my dad, taught me that to start an old dry engine, put about 2 tablespoons of 90 weight gear oil in each cylinder, let it sit for a couple of hours, spin it over with plugs out, then start it. The oil helps seal the rings & that will help raise the compression enough for it to start. ( VOROOM! ) Bill W.

Sounds like good advice to me

.

04-22-2012, 05:12 PM	#1
ap31 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 1	Can't start. I bought an engine that supposedly was a rebuilt several years back and minimal mileage. I assembled everything and tried to start it and couldn't get more than 1 or 2 cylinders to fire. Gas is getting there and good spark on all 4 plugs. Soooooooo, I decided to do a compression test. 1 and 2 have 25lbs, and 3 & 4 have 45 lbs of compression. What's next. I didn't see any signs of cracks when I assembled it. Should I be pulling the head and the first 2 pistons? TIA

04-22-2012, 07:06 PM	#2
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Can't start. Probably stuck valves or rings. __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/

04-22-2012, 07:16 PM	#3
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Can't start. ap31, Chief, my dad, taught me that to start an old dry engine, put about 2 tablespoons of 90 weight gear oil in each cylinder, let it sit for a couple of hours, spin it over with plugs out, then start it. The oil helps seal the rings & that will help raise the compression enough for it to start. ( VOROOM! ) Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"