Denis, i understand but what is the point? you have a problem anyway! it
need to be open, there is no way out, wile there, it's nothing to take a
look at the pistons or/and head. The only thing good about a leak down
it to tell the customer (or friend) the approximated price of parts,
even then, if it show a leak on the pistons side it doesn't tell you
that the heads are worned out or close to it!  the thing that people
don't understand is a leak down will tell you that your +- 400$ on a 3
to 5 k job. The time to go there and open everything is practically the
same. I don't even do compression check anymore, i look at the engine,
drive the van,  touch the engine for vibration and i know.  What i'm
trying to say is that with a leak down, you can only tell that the price
may be  bit higher.... or lower!

Cheers, Ben

Dennis Haynes wrote:

>I would care about a leak down test. Then bypassthe gauge set and direct
>put shop air into the cylinder. Now you will know which valve or if the
>piston/rings have the problem. You can also find internal coolant leaks this
>way.
>
>Dennis
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>Benny boy
>Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 4:00 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Opinions Please
>
>Jamie, send me a picture of your engine, top, close shot. I wanna see the
>condition of parts around the engine (like someone stated, you need to be
>sure that the rest is in good condition,cooling tube, FI....), as for your
>problem, who cares about a leak-down test! you have a compression issu and
>the engine need to be open anyway. It's the head or a piston/ring of course,
>so money will have to be invested anyway (i have good 2.1 used pistons in
>the shop if you need some!). Yes, the short bloc/core is strong and i have
>seen some with more than 250K miles and still going strong, so, money wise
>you may only need heads, the pistons and sleeve are also pretty solid, the
>main problem with those are top compression rings that break in 2! but those
>generaly stay in place even when broken. I have open 8 core lately,
>including mine (you will see pictures later in a post called: Tornado red
>engine), i have measure all bottom end parts of all those 8 engines (crank,
>rods and cam, wear on bearing... ) and all where way into the wear out limit
>(i mean still good if my English is not right!), on 8 open case, only one
>was showing number in the wear-out limit! you all think what ever you want
>about my study but it's simple fact, alll heads except one had crack (some
>just a small one but!), 3 pistons had broken top rings, only one engine had
>cooked pistons, of course it's the one with the wear out bottom end. So
>before you put a ton of money in a conversion or a full rebuilt... have that
>engine open and find the culprit! I would not be surprise that you only have
>a burned EX valve AND SEAT!, if no crack, repair this one or buy 2 new AMC
>head (better buy them from B.Bob with german valves). If you have time, drop
>the engine with some friend, i'm going south (if my Red Tornado van is
>finish...) in a month or so and i would be glad to stop by and give you a
>hand for a a day or 2 :-) (and see your new house)
>
>I do feel that those engine are at least good for 1 top end before they are
>due for a full rebuilt or a conversion!
>
>Best regards, Ben
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>I have owned my '89 automatic Westy for about two months now and I just lost
>compression on #4 (it's down to 50 lb). I have fallen in love with camping
>in it and want to make it as reliable as I possibly can.
>
>Here are my options: 1) Replace the heads but bottom end is unknown (ran
>like a top before losing compression). 2) I have a 1.9 TD that was to go
>into my '82 Diesel, but I am concerned with the gearing. (the torque and hp
>are similar to the WB 3) Get a Boston Bob rebuild. The way I look at it why
>not get an engine redone totally. (this is not to be a Boston Bob Bash, I
>have read all the posts in different forums and list serves). 4) Do a Tiico
>conversion.
>
>>From the list experience what do you think of these options?
>
>Thanks, Jamie Auch The Kooky Math Teacher "missing my westy"
>
>
>
>
>