The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Help with 235 low compression

Hello all, I just picked up a 55 210 and I knew there was some sort of issue with the original engine. Idles nice, all day long but a big hesitation just into the throttle and low on power. I thought maybe carb from sitting or locked up dizzy from sitting. No such luck with a warm engine I have 90, 95, 90, 15 , 100 , 95. That low cylinder is my problem . I did spray some lube into the hole and no change. It's definetly holding a few lbs.. so today I ran through the rocker gaps and that cylinder was a little tight but after adjusting it , same compression..

Here's my dilemma, it's a rough car, with solid bones also a 4door. I dont have a direction with this car yet and if the compression was just low across the board I'd just run here until I had a plan. Im not certain I want to rebuild it, but it's the original block. I can get a "good running" 235 for $400 that would be my easiest option and then drop in my s10 5 speed.. or do I swap in a v8 because after a year or two in the slow lane I pull it out and v8 anyway...


I still need to do a pressure test on the cylinder. But am I missing anything? There's no water in the oil. Would a burnt valve hold some air? Or maybe I got lucky and it's just a head gasket??

Thoughts from the group..??

Thanks
Bob

I’ll bring this up again......... this is a truck site, not a car site. Carry on.

Just switch 210 for 3100 and you'll be fine...

And leave out the entire paragraph about the rusty “car”, the S10 5 speed and V8 Swap. Some folks just want this open to cars. If the owners wanted it that way it would have been named Chevy Inliners. Just my personal opinion and I’m entitled to it.🤨

"Here's my dilemma, it's a rough car, . . . "
"I’ll bring this up again......... this is a truck site, not a car site."
" . . leave out the entire paragraph about the rusty “car”, the S10 5 speed and V8 Swap"
"Just switch 210 for 3100 and you'll be fine..."

And, ignore the fact that you car engine might have hydraulic lifters.

"We've got everything in here from 1/2-tons to 3-tons, COE's, Panels and 'Burbs, Firetrucks, Tow trucks -- Lots of trucks in all shapes, sizes and stages of restoration and enjoyment."

Martin's personal opinion is also my personal opinion.

The Greasy Spoon Forum would be appropriate for this thread. Helpful responses would, of course, still be provided.

1955 has solid lifters.

This is a car engine.
It would not have solid lifters if it came from the factory with a Powerglide transmission.
All Powerglide-equipped cars (except the Corvette) had hydraulic lifters.

All 1956 and later 235 car engines had hydraulic lifters, no matter what transmission the left the factory with.

Correct, my 1955 car has a 3 speed...... solid lifters. .that brought me here as its has more in common with a truck engine.