Compression check 59 AB

[BlueSunoco]

See my post in the '6V vs. 12V ' Hard Starting thread I already started. Did a compression check and wondered if these numbers look OK to you guys--------

No. 1--85#
No. 2--90#
No. 3--85#
No. 4--85#
No. 5--100#
No. 6--105#
No. 7--95#
No. 8--105#

[flatjack9]

No major problems there.

[WestCoast]

#120 is specs,your close, loose some power with those readings, but still will run good, go to VANPELTS Sales LLC for all the engine specs

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

#120 is specs,your close, loose some power with those readings, but still will run good, go to VANPELTS Sales LLC for all the engine specs

Will do thanks guys. One Ford mechanic told me that 'flatheads won't start when they are tired' but he is a younger guy hasn't had much experience with flatties!!!

[JSeery]

Just for future reference (based on what was stated on your other post) Ford cylinders are numbered starting with the right (passenger side) front to rear and then the left (driver side) front to rear. So, number 1 is the right front cylinder and number 8 is the left rear cylinder.

[Bored&Stroked]

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Plenty of compression for that engine to start and run reasonably well . . . your problems are elsewhere.

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Just for future reference (based on what was stated on your other post) Ford cylinders are numbered starting with the right (passenger side) front to rear and then the left (driver side) front to rear. So, number 1 is the right front cylinder and number 8 is the left rear cylinder.

Thanks I should have remembered that from my years as a Ford parts manager!

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

Plenty of compression for that engine to start and run reasonably well . . . your problems are elsewhere.

THANK YOU!! THAT'S very good to hear. I can lay the 'That engine is just tired and worn out' advice a Ford mechanic told me to rest

[Floyd]

Keep reporting on your progress. Many of use like these kind of stories, especially when we can see it through to completion.
Many times we only get to see the beginning of the mystery, not the end of the movie to find out "who dun it".
Just an opinion

[bobH]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

Will do thanks guys. One Ford mechanic told me that 'flatheads won't start when they are tired' but he is a younger guy hasn't had much experience with flatties!!!

I'm no longer a 'younger-guy', and I'd say the same thing. Working in a garage and used car lot back in the 50's, we pulled or pushed many a Ford to get them going the first time. If started daily after that, they would usually start on their own.

BTW, the spec may be 'up there', but my experience says your numbers are good. I've never seen a stock engine at 120.
Might have to define what a compression test is. Lots of definitions, with varying results. Still, good numbers, no matter how you did it.

[Drbrown]

Were those numbers obtained without adding oil into the cylinders ? What are readings if you add oil ?

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by Drbrown

Were those numbers obtained without adding oil into the cylinders ? What are readings if you add oil ?

Good questions. I just did it the way my dad told me many years ago and didn't think much about it---- Did not add any oil in cylinders or such.

Started engine and brought it up to temperature. Then, I took the spark plugs out of 5-6-7-8 (left side bank one at a time and did the compression check. After cranking it to get those four cylinders I got the idea of leaving all the plugs out to make it easier on my starter and four year old battery. Then I did 1-2-3-4 (right hand bank) At this time I thought 'well, maybe that skewed my first readings so I went back and redid 5-6-7-8 and got the same readings I got the first time.

Started good cold but same no-start after warmed up. I'm going to recheck the coil and take the condensor over to Radio Shack and have it checked as a Fordbarner suggested earlier.

Will post the results of what I found. Has to be a pansy spark as when I hold the coil wire to ground it is a dribbly weak looking yellow spark. May also change coil wire that was a thought too. Pos. and Neg. wires to coil are in very good shape no broken insulation or anything of that sort!

[Drbrown]

Not related to your hard starting problem but your group of (slightly) lower (10 to 12%) compression test results on the right side MIGHT relate to a poor head gasket there. Probably not worth addressing unless those numbers decrease in the future.

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by Drbrown

Not related to your hard starting problem but your group of (slightly) lower (10 to 12%) compression test results on the right side MIGHT relate to a poor head gasket there. Probably not worth addressing unless those numbers decrease in the future.

Thanks I kinda thought that too------------

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

Thanks I kinda thought that too------------

I would find it odd that all four cylinders would have the same lower reading due to a bad head gasket.

Usually one of two cylinders are bad (leaking between them). I've never seen four cylinders go bad . . . and if bad, they are usually REALLY bad. Just my observations . . . not trying to step on toes.

B&S

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

I would find it odd that all four cylinders would have the same lower reading due to a bad head gasket.

Usually one of two cylinders are bad (leaking between them). I've never seen four cylinders go bad . . . and if bad, they are usually REALLY bad. Just my observations . . . not trying to step on toes.

B&S

Not stepping on any toes here I appreciate all the comments !

[Lanny]

Maybe a re torque of the right side head bolts might help.








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[robert dick]

Just wondering why it seems that nowadays no one does both a dry and wet compression test,when i was turning wrenches my service mangr. would insist on both, as well as did the factory( jaguar and maserati)

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by robert dick

Just wondering why it seems that nowadays no one does both a dry and wet compression test,when i was turning wrenches my service mangr. would insist on both, as well as did the factory( jaguar and maserati)

Robert, not familiar with a wet test I assume some motor oil down each cylinder?? Thanks.

[JSeery]

That would be the case, the oil improves the seal of the rings and will increase the reads on an engine with weak ring seal.

[daveymc29]

As I recall, a little motor oil down the spark plug hole between tests will tell you if the rings are the culprit for lower readings.If the readings come up significantly you may wish to investigate further, but if I had your readings, I would look elsewhere first. But what do I know, I'm into A models now, Get 94 in all four holes without oil. Good luck

[Drbrown]

I agree with Bored&Stroked .... it would be unlikely that a head gasket problem would encompass at all four cylinders. Also, given the relative uniformity of the right and left bank readings one could, at this point, assume that valve train problems are not involved (pending further testing).

That leads me to support Lanny's suggestion to check/re-torque that head to spec. Actually, if one really wanted to approach this more accurately (IMHO) one might go so far as to check/re-torque BOTH heads and then per Jseery, robert dick, daveymc29, re-test all cylinders using the so-called dry and wet method.

I assume (1) both heads are matching original to your engine, (2) one head has not been milled/surfaced where as the other was, (3) all cylinders are the same bore, and (4) the all piston rings match regarding age.

If you do re-torque and re-test please let us know the results.

[BlueSunoco]

DR I will do this and let you fellows know what I found thanks.