Update. I decided I needed a compression gauge to add to my arsenal so I stopped by my local Harbor Freight and picked up a US General universal compression tester. Now I know it's quality is suspect but I figure it should be good enough to atleast tell me if the cylinders were pumping up equal.
According to the tester they aren't.
I've come to my conclusion but I'll post my findings for your thoughts.
All tests were done w/th throttle & choke clamped wide open and all plugs removed.
My shop manual calls for 110 psi for optimum perfromance.
The dry compression test results.
#1,60 psi
#2,40 psi
#3,60 psi
#4,60 psi
#5,20 psi
#6,15-20 psi
With one good squirt of oil per cylinder.
#1,70 psi
#2,40 psi
#3,70 psi
#4,70 psi
#5,25 psi
#6,15-20 psi
My uneducated guess is that ALL rings are worn past the max tolerance, probable burnt valve on #2 and either a blown headgasket or worse between 5 & 6.
It's now making some sense that the gas was puddleing at the bottom of the intake manifold as opposed to getting drawn into the cylinders and fouling out the plugs. Theres not enough compression to pull it in.....
So I'll be researching and taking opinions on whether to attempt to rebuild this old 216, try to find a full pressure 235 or 261 and/or go all out for a small block V8.
Dave
Last edited by Volfandt; 10/01/2012 9:52 PM.
