SHOCKED With Compression Check

I agree with Marco. I have made many baseline measurements of my Model A whenever I install something new. Sometimes I wish I had made more measurements. When I had my engine rebuilt I measured everything I could. But I did not have a way to weight the rods or pistons and I wish I would have.

From my experience, be it limited, most Model As that are driven have some mechanical problems. Between Gyp parts an people not knowing what is right many do not run like they should. That is why it is a good idea to take baseline measurements which will help you learn what is right and what is not.

An example of what I have found is the steering stabilizers that I have found on several Model As. Yes they can stabilize the steering. But in all cases I found that the actual problem was not fixed it was only masked. In one case the owner complained that the steering had become very stiff. That was caused by the steering stabilizer locking up. On a tour one of the drivers was complaining that his steering was loose. I checked it and found that the Pitman arm was loose on the sector shaft. We tightened it and he was happy. Later on that tour I made a quick inspection of all the other Model As. I did not find any that did not have a problem with loose steering. Most of the problems were easily corrected. If people know what the steering was like when these cars came out of the factory (baseline) they would then be able to determine when and where the problem is and fix it.

Bob
 
Benchmarking is always a handy reference as it gives you a guide as to whether or not your engine has gone way out of specs or not. Not only can you determine whether or not it's out of proper specs but you'll also be able to tell by how much which can sometimes help in diagnosing issues.

I hope it's just the compression tester that went bad in this case.
 
Cape Codder said:
Today, I decided to check the compression on my newly rebuilt (462 miles) motor. I wanted to have something to have as a base for any further checks. The results SHOCKED me because they are #1 - 20 lbs., #2 - 25 lbs., #3 - 27 lbs., and #4 - 28 lbs. Could it be that the rings are not seated? Or is there some other reason? Give me some good news!

Thanks for your time.

Cape Codder
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What you are doing is a good idea. But some thing is wrong with the readings.
gauge maybe. The numbers are so close to each other. The compression must be better than that.
 
tbirdtbird said:
there isn't an engine anywhere that will run on 25 # compression
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Sshhh, don't say that too loud. I've got a couple old timers with almost no compression and they run fine, so I don't want them to hear that. Well, maybe not fine, but, they run OK.
My old every day 'A' only has 45# across the board. Doesn't smoke, use any oil or leak.
 
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BILL WILLIAMSON said:
Marco, I'm SHOCKED! What qualifies you to make such a derogatory statement such as this? Have you seen & noticed the performance of "THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE MODEL A's?????? (I don't think so!) Our mission, here, should be to help & encourage each other.
I feel that an apology is in order to the novices & the seasoned Model A folks who DO know how to make a Model A run as well as it did when it was new! (And sometimes BETTER, even on a stock Model A!) Bill W.
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Bill I was hoping you would have learned a lesson. :mad: Was this comment in jest or? :confused: Lets try to keep Marco around. I have learned a lot of information from his past post as I am sure others have also. He and Tom W. give the best info. on this barn site as far as I am concerned. Some others as well. Now go share a dog treat with Buster. :cool:
 
maybe your compression tester isn't sealing good when you thread it in. that will give you low readings.
 
To Marco ONLY:
Love you like a Brother, Marco! & I appreciate your GREAT knowledge of Model A's!
I was only asking how you could be qualified to speak about about the vast majority that didn't run properly, which also translates to me, that the vast majority of owners don't have the skills to make them run as Henry designed them. To me, the statement sounded deragatory.
Marco, if you had stated that a LOT of Model A's didn't run well, instead of, "The vast majority didn't run well", I probably would NOT have commented! (I AIN'T PERFECT, EITHER!)
Nothing wrong with Cape Codder wanting to establish baselines, etc. I was taught, by Chief, that if you have the skills to repair it properly, and it's running well, just drive & enjoy it until the next tune up and/or service interval.
Bill W.
 
To all: Do we NOT have a right to QUESTION someone's STATEMENTS???? If NOT, I'm outta' here!
Im NOT a trouble maker & I DON'T try to make this a CONTEST of who knows the most stuff, GEEZ! Bill W.
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
To all: Do we NOT have a right to QUESTION someone's STATEMENTS???? If NOT, I'm outta' here!
Im NOT a trouble maker & I DON'T try to make this a CONTEST of who knows the most stuff, GEEZ! Bill W.
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You come across as a troublemaker and always have.
When you question someone's qualifications like Marco's, who probably knows more about model A's than anyone else on the planet including Les Andrews, you are out of line.
There are a whole bunch of us on here that will agree with the phrase
"vast majority". "IT'S NOT DEROGETORY".
While "cute" comments and weak attempts at humor are not against the law on this forum, they surely are not appreciated by "some".
If you leave, don't let the screen door slap you on the way out.
If you stay, just don't forget the "SOME".
 
Don't leave Bill. I like your posts most of the time. We all at times have needed to have chosen our words more carefully. Give buster a bone for me.
 
My experience

I have found that for me the best way to keep postings as discussions and not arguments is to keep my posting about my experiences. I try to not comment directly about what someone else has posted. I just state my view, opinion or experiences. I stay away from pointing out other peoples errors. If I just state what I believe the readers can decide who is correct. In many cases there is more than one correct answer. There are enough knowledgeable people here that in most cases it becomes clear which opinions are correct. I do not feel that I help the person seeking information by arguing with someone else who may or may not know more than I.

Just my opinion

Bob
 
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