Cl350 low compression rebuild

[fluke12]

I've had my 72 cl350 for a few years. It was running fine until recently so I never really messed with the engine. Now that I have low compression and have to open it up anyways, should I run through the whole thing or just the top?

I've heard people say it both ways, "don't crack the cases unless you have to" or "you got it out, might as well run through it"

This will be the first time I've done this, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bert Jan]

My advice would be top end only. No need to change a winning team
The engine is very easy taken out of the frame so when lower end needs work its not that much hassle in the feature.

Only fix what is broken.

 

[fluke12]

That was kinda my thought too but I've heard some horror stories about people opening up things and finding a disaster about to happen.

 

[xb33bsa]

i think you should pull the clutch cover and inspect/clean the suction screen on the oil pump
clean out the oil filter rotor as well
when you are in there you can also look and see if there is a shitload of sediment in the cases

 

[fluke12]

Yep, I figured the oil filter for sure. Good call on looking at the screen too. I'll take a good look while I'm there.

 

[alzcbz]

I've had two of these apart recently for low compression. I tore them down to the bare cases, only because the engines had sat unused for a long time and I wanted to clean and paint.
If yours is shifting fine and has no oil leaks, you really only need to do the top end, unless curiosity gets the best of you.

As for the low compression, both of my motors had broken rings. No damage to piston or cylinder. A hone and some new rings along with lapping the valves brought the compression right back up to spec.