Checking Engine Compression.

[A.P.]

O.K. I just got a 350 engine. The person whom I purchase the engine from said it only gots 5000 miles on a rebuild. But its been sitting in his garage for 2 years. Now how do I check the compression before I install it? If it has good compression I will install, but if its not. I'll send it to get rebuild.

A.P.

[Cat Fuzz]

Gotta get a compression tester.

[A.P.]

I do have a compression tester, and I just put the engine on the engine stand. Starting to connect the starter. Thanks Cat Fuzz.


A.P.

[Cat Fuzz]

Oh! I get it. You wanted to know how to check the compression with it out of the vehicle. Just make sure the ignition is disabled. You don't want that thing firing up on the stand.

[Hooter]

well a good bonus if there is a starter on there for sure! then just thread a compression tester in there and write down all the numbers and make sure they are all within 10% of eachother

[jef5150]

if you take "all" the plugs out and test 1 cylinder itll spin a little easier,,,,,,,,jeff

[86SILVERADO]

I hate to say it but I would pull the heads first before you go cranking it if it has been laying around for a while. You never know what you'll find in there.

[cduster]

My expirience with engines that have been sitting a while is that the compression usually tests low, and after running the engine a little while it comes up. Granted, I'm dealing with airplanes that have only been sitting like 6 months, but aside from rust wouldn't the principal be the same? Dan

[Rooster's 67]

technicaly you need to pull all eight plugs and engine is supposed to be at operating temperature (not gonna happen on the stand) disable the ignition, and the throttle plate should be wide open be sure and turn the motor over by hand at least two complete revs to make sure there are not stuck rings or other issues that can cause you bigger troubles. like rust on the upper portions of the cylinder. HOw was the motor stored?

[A.P.]

Thanks guys for the info. The motor was stored in the guy's garage. It was not covered and there is some stuff in the intake. So I have stripped the motor and will be taking it to get it rebuild on Monday.

A.P.

[86SILVERADO]

Good man, You could have saved yourself the possibility of damaging the crank or cylinders. Always the wisest move to tear it down. For example the 305 which came out of my half ton is now going back in. I had it stored in the machine shed under a tarp. I moved it once recently kept it under cover but it was now outside. thought seriously about just throwing it back in the truck because it ran fine when I pulled it. Thought better of it. Pulled the heads and it was loaded with carbon that had all flaked off and was piled up on the pistons, no good for the initial startup. Pulled the pan and found the oil pump with a perfect half circle of ice inside the pickup. Obviously water got in somehow. Now currently with it being around 15 here during the day and me working in an unheated barn. Say I had just changed the oil dropped the motor in and fired it up? Like I said, you did the right thing.

[A.P.]

My engine is now in the shop and I will be getting it back on Saturday. All the parts that I removed from the engine are very dirty, what should I use to clean them?

A.P.

[Rooster's 67]

which parts? if your talking covers and such, I use easy off oven cleaner and repaint.
valve train, and other internal items clean really well in chem-dip carb dip(nasty stinky sh!t) use moma's elbow high rubber gloves around that stuff, or you will smell like it for 2 days.no joke.

[A.P.]

Rooster's 67, thanks. All I want to clean are the oil pan, valve covers, power steering pump and few other parts.


A.P.

[A.P.]

Here is my chevy 305 engine.

[A.P.]

Here is a pic of my 350 engine before taking it to get rebuild.

[A.P.]

Here is a pic of the 350 engine, just picked it up today. What color should I paint it?

[A.P.]

Here is another pic.

[lukecp]

Orange....the ONLY color a chevy should be

BTW, sweet motor...i do kinda like the bare metal look...too bad it wouldn't last.

[A.P.]

yellow72custom
Thanks, I was thinking of orange too. I also like the bare metal look of the engine. It shines nicely.


A.P.

[Kenneth Brown]

You can get "cast iron" paint from most any parts store. It will stay on the motor and is nice to see the cast color forever. Whenever I say cast iron paint I am meaning the color.

[dinnut]

id paint it the color of the truck... that always looks great.
if not that black... or orange.

[A.P.]

O.K. I've installed my rebuild engine and turned it on. It sounds great. Now for my question, how soon do I change the oil for the first time?

A.P.

[Kenneth Brown]

After about 5 hours or 500 miles. Do it again after about 2000. After that go to your normal intervals.

[A.P.]

Kenneth Brown
Thanks for the info.

A.P.