Well, for those who have been following by email thread about making the
mistake of checking compression on my 140k mile original engine
(90-150-100-130) I�ve done some more tests.

 

1.       Valves were zero lash or 1 turn in, no valve noise, timing dead on

2.       Manifold vacuum is 12� Hg with �1� tick (should be steady 17-21)

3.       No detectable vacuum leaks (propane test), all vacuum hoses new.

4.       22% leak down on #1, could hear leakage all three places, but
exhaust and intake were louder than the dipstick, with the exhaust being the
worst.  (Should have used the decibel meter on my iPhone, but I didn�t want
to get it greasy ;-) ).  Didn�t bother testing the others after this result.

5.       Does not burn oil (in 1000 miles at least)  Plugs that came in it
were clean.

6.       PO installed reman AFM recently

7.       Idles smooth (as any of them anyway), runs well, no coolant leaks,
but has poor acceleration and poor gas mileage (~15 mpg highway). 

 

Looks like it�s got some leaking valves. No surprise this rig is worn out, I
assumed it was, but I could drive it home at least.  I hope I can get a few
thousand more miles out of it so I can save some dough for a conversion!

 

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but never for long.  I waited until after my
planned summer trips to check the engine condition, so I was blissfully
ignorant on purpose.  I�m still planning a couple of fall trips nearby
though.  What the hell, I�ve got AAA premier.

 

Stuart

�85 Westy, purchased in May