Compression problems

Check at the auto parts stores that borrow or rent tools to see if they have a cylinder leakage tester. You put each piston, one at a time, on top dead center on the compression stroke, then pump in compressed air through a gauge. The gauge will read the percent of leakage, and you can listen at four places for the source of the leakage. Tail pipe: burned exhaust valve. Carburetor: burned intake valve. Oil cap or dipstick tube: piston rings. Radiator bubbles: head gasket or cracked head.

They also make a whistle that screws onto the tester's hose that makes finding top dead center real fast and easy. You crank the engine by hand with a socket and ratchet, and as the piston slowly comes up on the compression stroke, the whistle will let you know you're there when it stops whistling.

This is an inexpensive set, pretty much all of the Normal Stuff you will need to test/ adjust/ and tune an older vehicle (even on some of the newer cars too)

The cool thing is, it's all in one Compact Case, and less than $40 at "Harbor Freight".A voltmeter is another item you should have, same place, $7 and under!

If you are gonna continue to work on this vehicle, each of the Items will make things EZer for you--decent instructions within!

We can help you figure things out too, Just continue to ask, here at this question!

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The Medic