dave1123

You might want to check your distributor cap as well. You may be getting flashover inside because all that voltage has to go somewhere if it can't fire the plugs!

ok93zj

I thinking about putting my msd cool on it for now when I replace all the wires plugs cap and rotor.

On the plus side I had 125 pounds of compression on those 2 cylinders. So I'm going to check the rest tonight after I get some plugs.

dave1123

You may find higher cylinder pressures with all the plugs out. It spins faster. Also, notice pressure on the first stroke. Block the throttle valve wide open to allow best cylinder filling.

I noticed some gas deposits on the base shell of the plugs. Looks like the gaskets were leaking. As stated before, I'm amazed the thing ran at all!

ok93zj

I'm checking compression one at a time with the injector unplugged. The 125 was peak I didn't notice first stroke. What should that be?

dave1123

With good rings and valves that seal, about 1/2 of final pressure. With good valves and worn rings, it will build steadily and evenly each stroke until final pressure. You can tell if it's worn rings by squirting a couple shots of engine oil into the cylinders, cranking it over to spread the oil, and testing again. If the pressure came up a lot, the rings are worn. If it didn't change, I would suspect worn valves. Comp pressure should be between 120 and 150 psi on a good engine. If there is a substantial difference between cylinders, I would suspect a blown head gasket, bad valve, or cracked ring.

ok93zj

Well it was almost every other cylinder was 150 peak while the other 3 were 125. But there was one that built up kinda slow and steady while the other were at 90 to 100 on first pump. That was either the first cylinder from the front or the second.

I'll redo my compression test when I change the wires cap and rotor.

dave1123

If and when you pull the head, clean the crap off the pistons also.

Sounds to me that you've got a well worn motor that's in bad need of some TLC. It's at the point where something major could go wrong with it. I'm not saying that will happen, but I am saying that she's done her job. Not too long ago, if you got 100K out of an engine, you were lucky. Modern designs and metalurgy have more than doubled that.

Change the oil, fix the electrics, and take it on the highway for at least 100 miles. Then check for water in the oil. If there isn't any water, I would suspect the water was condensation. If there is, I would suspect a leak somewhere. A good high speed run should expand any cracks or evaporate any water in the engine. Either way, you'll have a better handle on the problem.

If you're like most of us, you have better things to spend your money on than your car. While maintenance MUST be done, only you can decide whether to rebuild or buy used.