IMHO, working with an engine stand is the only way to go.

Jim C

On Aug 22, 2009, at 10:06 PM, Jeff Lincoln wrote:

> The head gaskets are definitely shot - so the heads are coming off
> anyway.
>
> On Sun, Aug 23, 2009 at 1:04 AM, Jim Cochran <mxsailor@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> Bentley says that compression should not be lower than 116 psi.
> Think 1 & 2 cyls. are reversed.
>
> Could be valves, could be rings, could be glazed or scratched
> cylinders, leaking head gaskets, seals, etc.
> If it were me, I'd try readjusting the lifters and see if it
> improved the numbers... and if not, buy the full gasket set and
> remove the heads. That is, unless you think you can live with it in
> this condition.
>
> Don't think I could, though.
>
> Jim C
>
>
> Ok, we got much of the prep work done today and stopped just shy of
> removing
> the heads. It's kind of a mess in the engine bay - not super
> terrible but
> I've found several smaller things that show signs of the extreme heat.
>
> Anyhow, we did a compression test first - I've been searching the
> archives
> for what numbers would be considered "normal" but no matter what I
> search
> the archives are returning no results. I also don't have my Bentley
> right at
> the moment (loaned it to a friend) so I'm not even sure what
> cylinder is
> which although I believe it is as follows:
>
> front of van
>
> 3.....................2
> 4.....................1
>
> rear of van
>
> So using that as a model here were the results of the compression
> test. Test
> was obviously done cold - and we checked each one twice - so the first
> number is reading one and the second is reading 2.
>
> Cyl 1:  100 / 120
> Cyl 2:  100 / 110
> Cyl 3:  125 / 143
> Cyl 4:  100 / 110
>
> So am I at least in the ball park? Should I be concerned that #3
> read so
> much higher? Can I assume the numbers would have been a bit higher
> if I were
> able to do the test on a warmed up engine?
>
> That's it for now - nothing more to report really. Thanks again for
> everyone
> who has replied to this thread - it really has helped.
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '90 Carat (Grover)
> '86 (We call this one Parts)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>
>
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '90 Carat (Grover)
> '86 (We call this one Parts)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus