9550

i am putting my engine back together now, and i just put on one head, and will do the other soon. im thinking now is the best time to check the compression, but i want to be sure im not forgetting something.
so, get the heads on and test it or what?
i am using locwire gaskets for my grooved heads, so im a little nervous that i may not have gotten them on perfect

also, would the rockers need to be installed to check the compression, or is it even better that they arent installed yet?

thanks

88 orangepeel notch

You'll need to put some miles on that motor, the rings are new and not seated and would give a lower #.

9550

thanks
but the rings are not new, does that change your answer?
i may have mislead you saying i was putting the engine back together, i only took off the top half and replaced the cam.
thanks again

88 orangepeel notch

Oh, yeah I was thinking fresh rebuild. So you just want to check one side now to see if you installed the headgasket correctly. I'd think you'd need the complete valve train assembly to check.

dawson1112

You can check the compression with out the RRs installed because all the valves will be closed anyways.

How ever I will suggest you get it all back together and run it for a few miles and then recheck , since your not able to put the kind of compression on it that running it will with a simple compression tester. Just because it passes a compression check now does not mean it will be ok after you run it.

yurizx6r

I agree, give it a few miles before. Once everything is broken in, then give it a good test.

9550

so is there nothing i should check now before i start putting the rockers on? i would hate to have a leak and only find out after the engine is together.
i was going to do the compression check now with just the heads on the car, but apparently you guys suggest against it.

dawson1112

You can check now for leaks, but like I said in my earlier post. Your not putting the kind of pressure that running it does so check it now then get it back to gether and run it a bit and recheck it.