SHOCKED With Compression Check

BILL WILLIAMSON said:
Then why do we WASTE our time trying to be of help???
Bill W.
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In one way it is not a waste of time as the various replies give different views regarding possible causes and fixes for the same problem. So a person can find information and knowledge possibly learning new methods. I haven't had the occasion to replace valve in my compression gauge and prior to reading the posts here I would have replaced it with the wrong type. So I didn't learn the cause but I did glean that fact out of all the clutter and hassling that went on!
I'm not a restorer but I read the "Barn" every morning picking those topics that are of interest to me to read. There are some who post here that I read faithfully because I feel they know what they are posting about and some I don't read as they are just trying to reengineer the A.
 
just plain bill said:
In one way it is not a waste of time as the various replies give different views regarding possible causes and fixes for the same problem. So a person can find information and knowledge possibly learning new methods. I haven't had the occasion to replace valve in my compression gauge and prior to reading the posts here I would have replaced it with the wrong type. So I didn't learn the cause but I did glean that fact out of all the clutter and hassling that went on!
I'm not a restorer but I read the "Barn" every morning picking those topics that are of interest to me to read. There are some who post here that I read faithfully because I feel they know what they are posting about and some I don't read as they are just trying to reengineer the A.
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I agree as well. It's just interesting to me that someone would take the time to write something describing some problem that is keeping them from enjoying their ride and then not write back that it worked or did not work.
 
As mentioned the correct answer or answers are usually mentioned in the first handful of replies on most threads. But is was good constructive conversation anyway for the archives
 
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Well, the OP has not made any addional posts anywhere since he posted his question. He is obviously busy with something. Sometimes life gets in the way of the things we want to do with the things we have to do.

Regarding why do we help? Cause we do. For some of us it is in our DNA to help others, besides, whether the OP comes back or not the replies are preserved here to help others with the same problem. I pull up old posts alll the time for information, It does not matter if the person who asked the original question took the advice or not.
 
Before I give answers to some of the comments/suggestions I want to thank everyone for taking the time for answering my post.

There is more to life than just Model A's which I'm very interested in. I want to let everyone know that GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY AND FRIENDS come before Model A's. After numerous personnel commitments I was able to host an event at my home this Saturday for the members of the Cape Cod Model A Club.

No, I didn't get lost and have finally been able to acquire different compression gages, two as a matter of fact. On this subject, one of the suggestions said that there is different valve streams in a compression gage. Well I removed one of the two stems in a gage I acquired and found it to be the same length and diameter although one had a red seal and the other yellow. I guess I will have to go to a auto parts store to see if they can tell me what is correct and what is wrong. The gage that I originally used for this test is a new gage although I have used it maybe three times.

It was also suggested that I contact the builder of this motor, but am not about to, as I have tried already on another problem with no good results.

Do I NEED a compression base, I don't know. Do I WANT a compression base, YES I DO. Several posts gave me positive opinions that that was the way to go, which I'm grateful for.

I didn't know that there was a time limit to respond to an answer. If there is no information to share then why respond?

A comment was made that it was a waste of time to answer someone like myself, asking a question and not reporting back. Another comment that everyone does not always show respect or courtesy. I want to say that at least 95% of the time that I have asked a question I have always come back with a "thanks" while showing respect and courtesy.

The results shown below are still not up to my expectations but I would like to hear from anyone that would like to give their opinion. I have always thought a rebuilt motor should have 65 - 70 lbs in each cylinder. You will see five rows of numbers, first two from the two different gages and the third and forth row from the same two gages but with the vacuum plugged on the intake manifold. The fifth one is an average of the first four going across.

GAGE A GAGE B GAGE A GAGE B AVERAGE
#1 45# 57# 50# 60# 53#
#2 46# 55# 48# 59# 52#
#3 50# 53# 49# 60# 53#
#4 50# 60# 50# 60# 55#

I would very much like to hear opinions concerning these readings.

Thanks for your time.

Cape Codder
 
I don't understand how plugging the intake vacuum can raise the pressure?:confused:

Basically it looks like you have about 60 lbs., which is OK for a stock head. My engine has 50 lbs on each cylinder with the stock head, and the car has good power.:)
 
you take the highest readings you can get. In this case, 60. You are good to go. Agree with Tom. You can now move on to something else. BTW I am fully unaware that the schrader core in a compression tester is diff than other schrader cores (such as AC, and tire valve stems). I would like to see a reference on that.

Good luck with your car !!!! Enjoy
 
tbirdtbird said:
you take the highest readings you can get. In this case, 60. You are good to go. Agree with Tom. You can now move on to something else. BTW I am fully unaware that the schrader core in a compression tester is diff than other schrader cores (such as AC, and tire valve stems). I would like to see a reference on that.

Good luck with your car !!!! Enjoy
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I bought my Sears Craftsman screw in tester over 40 years ago. It came with an extra Schrader valve and just looking at the spring on the valve one can see it is noticeably weaker.
 
Cape Codder said:
The results shown below are still not up to my expectations but I would like to hear from anyone that would like to give their opinion. I have always thought a rebuilt motor should have 65 - 70 lbs in each cylinder. You will see five rows of numbers, first two from the two different gages and the third and forth row from the same two gages but with the vacuum plugged on the intake manifold. The fifth one is an average of the first four going across.

GAGE A GAGE B GAGE A GAGE B AVERAGE
#1 45# 57# 50# 60# 53#
#2 46# 55# 48# 59# 52#
#3 50# 53# 49# 60# 53#
#4 50# 60# 50# 60# 55#

I would very much like to hear opinions concerning these readings.

Thanks for your time.

Cape Codder
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Sure beats the old readings!

The Brattons catalog calls out 76# at sea level and to deduct 20# at 5000 ft if that helps any.

As for "timely" responses, when a problem is as interesting as this one is, even if you remove the posts about response times, you are left with 3 pages of posts the readers are waiting with baited breath for additional information. I truly apologize if my comment came across as crass. I too was anxious to see what was going on remember we have had several threads about "poor" rebuilds and yours also seems to be one of those.

Let me say again I'm sorry!
 
tbirdtbird said:
you take the highest readings you can get. In this case, 60. You are good to go. Agree with Tom. You can now move on to something else. BTW I am fully unaware that the schrader core in a compression tester is diff than other schrader cores (such as AC, and tire valve stems). I would like to see a reference on that.

Good luck with your car !!!! Enjoy
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Yes the compression tester Schrader valves are special and a tire/a/c cannot be used due to the spring tension
 
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cape as i mentioned in the other post the best way to ck engine wear and future baseline is a leak down test. the leak down tester will give you the percentage of air loss per each cylinder.
i dont think anyone meant any harm its just that some of us are more addicted to ford barn than others and tend to get antsy.
fortunately i am not one of them :D
 
I would not worry it will run great at 60 lbs. You might run it for 2,000 miles and check again for a base line. The difference between cylinders is what counts the most.
 
As happens many times, these threads take off in a direction of their own. The remarks about respect and courtesy weren't directed toward you or your post and there is a post previous to that hoping you weren't scared away by the tangent this thread went off on.
 
Tom Wesenberg - I didn't really understand how the compression went up but I did it because I had heard a vacuum leak when I had the wipers ON. Like I said don't understand.
tbirdbird - The schrader core in a compression tester is diff than other schrader cores was mentioned by someone on the board. If you follow down to #71 post Mitch//pa stated that they were different but didn't give any reference as to what they are like or where to get them. I went to the parts store (NAPA) today but the guy told me he didn't know of any difference.
Fordors - Sounds like you got a good deal ****40 years ago***** but now a days I think we are lucky to get one in the gage where it should be, never mind an extra.
Benson - I have heard that you have to have more miles than I have to seat the rings but don't think anyone else addressed it.
Mike V. Flordia - Yes, it did beat the old readings. Well we sure are at Sea Level living on Cape Cod. So with that it make my new readings low. I guess I will have to be patient and check it at some later date. Apology accepted and have moved on.
Mitch//pa - Where would one get the correct Schrader valve and is there a defined spring tension on these Schrader valves? Not familiar with a leak down tester. How does it work and what does it look like?
George Miller I plan on checking the compression at a later date. Looking forward to it going up.

I want to thank everyone for your comments and suggestions. This is quite the board for information.

As usual thanks for your time.
Cape Codder
 
cape take a look at this short video of using a leak down tester.
a leak down can be done and then the leak percentage can be compared at a later time. all motors will have a percentage of leak. Much more accurate than a compression test IMO.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=_5c-9cTu9wQIP_KayvUFSw&bvm=bv.52434380,d.eWU

i am sure there is other sources but i get my schraders off the snap-on truck..
an internet search should bring up other options
 
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Thanks Mitch//pa, I just learned something that I didn't know before. I had heard of it but never saw how it worked or what it would tell someone.
 
Mitch//pa said:
Yes the compression tester Schrader valves are special and a tire/a/c cannot be used due to the spring tension
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Yep, Bro, Ol' Bill tole 'em that, but they jist want to fuss about it!:eek: Buster T.:cool:
 

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