Today I wanted to try to get some compression numbers, just to get an idea on the general health of the engine before I tear it down any further.
I put the auto trans bell and flexplate back on it along with the starter motor so I could run the compression test.
I also installed a nice tight lightly used double-roller timing set. This way the valve action wouldn't be retarded because of a loose chain, perhaps giving me a better chance of getting some decent compression readings.
I pirated a couple of good used battery cables from my stash and hooked up the battery. I also put the 2-barrel carb back on and blocked the choke plate and throttle linkage wide-open, to better simulate a test you'd do on a complete engine.
Now I'm ready to do some testing.
Since the engine is obviously cold and the lifters aren't pumped up the readings won't tell the whole story, but here they are:
1 - 110
3 - 80
5 - 65
7 - 105
2 - 95
4 - 70
6 - 65
8 - 110
Tested again after adding a squirt of Marvel Mystery Oil to each cylinder:
1 - 120
3 - 100
5 - 100
7 - 115
2 - 80
4 - 80
6 - 70
8 - 130
So at this point I'll let it sit for a week to give the MMO a chance to soak into the rings a bit more to perhaps free them some and test again, then I'll pull the heads.