AlphaDogChoppers
Science is true whether you believe in it or not.
Not sure what I was right about. I was saying you shouldn't have torn the engine down yet. <G>
Bad Idea to try and re-use head and cylinder base gaskets. Other gaskets, if still in good condition, can be reused with a little gasket sealer a lot of times. But, since the gasket is new, it's worth trying to reuse it. Once the engine has been run, probably not. Get some CopperKote head gasket shellac for when you put it back together the next time.
I don't think your rings could be so bad as to have only 60 lbs compression with or without oil in the cylinders. Probably still a valve issue causing low compression. Could be wrong valve timing, or still out of adjustment. Adjusting valves is kinda tricky, and not so easy for a newby to get right. It's one of the most common causes of low compression.
Here is where I would admish you for tearing the engine down before evaluating its condition if I hadn't done that already. <G> I wish we had a viable compression reading on that engine from the outset before you had done anything to it. That way we would have a little more insight on the readings we are getting now.
It's my rule, under pretty much all circumstances, to re-ring any time an engine is apart. It's just good practice, and rings don't cost as much as a set of gaskets. Don't do oversize rings. They won't fit into your standard bore. You said that the cylinders did not look worn, if I recall, so standard rings are what you should fit. Just be sure that the ring gap is within specs.
Bad Idea to try and re-use head and cylinder base gaskets. Other gaskets, if still in good condition, can be reused with a little gasket sealer a lot of times. But, since the gasket is new, it's worth trying to reuse it. Once the engine has been run, probably not. Get some CopperKote head gasket shellac for when you put it back together the next time.
I don't think your rings could be so bad as to have only 60 lbs compression with or without oil in the cylinders. Probably still a valve issue causing low compression. Could be wrong valve timing, or still out of adjustment. Adjusting valves is kinda tricky, and not so easy for a newby to get right. It's one of the most common causes of low compression.
Here is where I would admish you for tearing the engine down before evaluating its condition if I hadn't done that already. <G> I wish we had a viable compression reading on that engine from the outset before you had done anything to it. That way we would have a little more insight on the readings we are getting now.
It's my rule, under pretty much all circumstances, to re-ring any time an engine is apart. It's just good practice, and rings don't cost as much as a set of gaskets. Don't do oversize rings. They won't fit into your standard bore. You said that the cylinders did not look worn, if I recall, so standard rings are what you should fit. Just be sure that the ring gap is within specs.
