> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Gruber [mailto:jgruber@demainsoft.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2000 7:39 PM
> To: spitfires@autox.team.net
> Subject: Low compression in number 2
>
>
>
> My mechanic says that I have the following compression readings
>
> 1 - 75
> 2 - 20
> 3 - 50
> 4 - 75
>
> Needs a ring job? Yes?
>
>
> Is that something a dumb-as-dirt mechanic like myself could try? Be
> honest, brutal if necessary.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
As Joe said, not necessarily. Who tested the compression?
Are you sure that they are 75,20,50,75? That almost isn't enough
to run. You may need just a valve job, but...
I am surprised that no one has suggested the old mechanics trick
of squirting a little oil in each cylinder and then re-checking
the compression. (Maybe I am too old a mechanic). If the numbers
rise, it points to rings, if they stay the same, it indicates
valves. The other thing that should be done is a leak down test.
This can confirm the valves/rings.
With the proper manuals, you shouldn't have any problem replacing
the rings, but if you are going that far, you might as well as
rebuild the engine at the same time. If your compression readings
are as low as you say, there are undoubtedly other problems as
well.
--
Doug Mitchell
mailto:dbmitch@peoplepc.com
'73 Spitfire 1500
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