Compression Test!

Did a dry compression test on all cylinders today. Here are the results:

-----Cylinder -------Test 1 (psi) ----------Test2 (psi)
-------- 1 --------------130 ------------------132
-------- 2 --------------130 ------------------130
-------- 3 --------------142 ------------------140
-------- 4 --------------128 ------------------125
-------- 5 --------------128 ------------------128
-------- 6 --------------130 ------------------128
-------- 7 --------------135 ------------------138
-------- 8 --------------135 ------------------132

The cylinders on this 283-in^3 V-8 (probably a 1958) are numbered 1-3-5-7 on the passenger side and 2-4-6-8 on the driver side. Those numberings are from front to back (I think.) So we actually tested them in the order 1-3-5-7-8-6-4-2. By the time we got to 6 the battery wasn't too happy any more, so the second test of the #6 cylinder actually read 120-psi. After a break with the charger on the battery, we ran test 2b and got the 128 above.

Speaking of the #6, the spark plug insert on that cylinder is a pain the ass, at least for getting our compression tester in. Between the heat shield for the exhaust manifold, and the steering box being right in there, the hose & adapter couldn't be lined up to the threads correctly. We had to take the adapter off the hose, screw it most of the way in first, reattach the hose, then screw both the rest of the way in. It took a little patience, but we got there. :)

Also had some transmission oil flow out the dipstick port while we were turning over the starter (there is no dipstick, we just had a towel jammed in there to keep it clean.) Not sure why it did that. Dad had drained & re-filled the transmission during the week, & used the recommended amount from the shop manual. But we don't have a dipstick yet to check the level, so I guess this is a sign that we put too much in. Dipstick is coming though; something like $40 or $50 for what amounts to a bent up coat hanger with a stopper on the end. XD

Anyway, these results are really good. Definitely what we were hoping to see. Compression out of the factory is supposed to be around 160-psi, and anything over 100-psi can be workable, so on a block as tired as this one 130 is pretty exceptional. The range on the readings is 17-psi, within the 20 pound rule-of-thumb for what to look for, and most are easily within 10-psi of their neighbors.