I've got a 36hp on the stand right now, and since I have the crank and
nut from my 56 pickup, I figured I'd try a compression test with the
hand crank. It is hard to get consistent results when cranking by hand.
 So, no, not really possible to check compression with meaningful results.
Al Brase

Tabe Johnson wrote:

>It's pretty hard to turn an engine over by hand fast
>enough to get a realistic compression reading.  I have
>done the bench compression.  It worked fine.  I got a
>spare starter & bell housing, bolted it up, got out
>the spare battery, and cranked away happily.  I
>was seriously considering how to mount a carb on the
>engine to get it running until I realized I'd need the
>computer for spark control.  Then I gave up.
>
>tabe johnson/87 westy
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>>Subject: Re: compression testing... on the bench
>>
>>Why wouldn't you just turn it by hand?
>>
>>Cya,
>>Robert
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Matthew" <mpteleski@YAHOO.COM>
>>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 3:15 PM
>>Subject: compression testing... on the bench
>>
>>
>>folks, i have a wasserboxer long block NOT IN A CAR
>>which i'd like to check its compression. Has anybody
>>bolted a bellhousing and starter to a longblock on
>>their workbench and tested the compression? (i know it
>>is a cold test, but it will give me an idea of the
>>quality of it, etc)
>>
>>thanks
>>matthew
>>
>>
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