Compression Test

At least it's still November, so this is still "shortly" to me.
Performed a compression test early September to find out if there was anything weak in the engine. If you don't know what this is all about, buy a compression tester from your local auto parts shop.
Compression test
Remove all the spark plugs and screw the tester into #1 spark plug hole. If you didn't buy a screw in one, you will need to hold the tester in place and get someone to help you. Look, just get the screw in one.
With it firmly in place, put your foot on the accelerator and press it to the floor. Now, turn the engine over. You'll hear the compression strokes move the needle of the gauge (sounds like puffing). When you've gone through three engine cycles, check the gauge. Repeat for the other cylinders and write down the results.
As mine is a 160HP slant, compression is expected to be higher then the 155HP version (red motor). I was hoping for 180psi, and got the following:
1 138
2 110
3 155
4 155
5 148
6 152
Urgh! Bloody awful. Definitely something (or things) wrong here. With these results, we look for a couple of things, being firstly the number, which is obviously quite low here and secondly whether the readings are similar to each other, which they are not in my case.
If there's any low numbers at all, you can determine if it's the head or piston that's causing the problem by doing a second test. This time, grab an oil can and squirt some in befrore screwing the compression tester in. The reason that we do this is that squirting oil in will seal any misbehaving rings and bring up the reading significantly if the problem is with piston rings. If the problem is with the head (e.g. valves are damaged or valve stems worn out) the reading will still be low.
With mine, the compression came up significantly as expected, since I had the head resurfaced, bought new valves etc when the LPG buggered it up about two years ago.
So I was going to have to remove the engine. Did this on 6th September.

Lots to write about.

My employment finished up a little while ago (over two months) and I've busy with the car. Took the engine out in September and re-sprayed the whole car in November. Other little jobs include replacement of the idler arm, front indicator switch, master cylinder seal replacement and, well, more than I can accurately recall. There has been a lot going on, but the car is now very much more driveable than two months ago. It also looks pretty good now, too. I did the master cylinder yesterday. The problem now is that I have too much to write down. Luckily I got photos of all the big jobs.
OK, have to go now - since writing this I remembered that I have to seal the LH tail light and replace the bulb before it rains again.

More very shortly, I promise!

P.S. Bendigo swap meet is on this Saturday. See you there.