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LBC Has Taken Sick

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M

MCS

Jedi Warrior
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I have been away from the forum for a few months, been busy playing with my inside toys. Took my Mk 3 for a 2 hour drive a few weeks ago, it was 34 f and sunny, great to be driving. Seemed to work perfect. Today I decided I would pull the engine and start the datsun 210 conversion. I also have a front seal oil leak that needs fixing. So I started it and let it run until it was up to normal temperature. It seemed to run perfect, so just out of curiosity I decided I would do a compression check. Well I am so disappointed; remember this engine has cost me well over 5 grand; it is a 1275 bored out to 1363.
Cyl 1- 190
Cyl 2- 125
Cyl 3- 175
Cyl 4- 190

I squirted some oil in cyl 2 the reading went up to 140. So here we go again, I wonder if it could be the head gasket. I drained the oil no metal in the oil, the anti freeze was nice and clean. The head is from Hap, and I am sure it is perfect. The eng is now ready to pull just need to find a neighbor to help me, I am very anxious to discover my problem.

Never a dull moment with my LBC

Phil
 
Sounds like a valve not seating properly or maybe beginning to burn. Check clearences on #2 cyl. first. If clearence is not tight, then check head bolt torque. If all is well to this point, pulling the head is the next option to check the gasket and then the valve(s) and seat(s).

If you don't find anything by this time, it may be a broken piston ring. Increase in compression by squirting oil in the cylinder would make me think rings.

Finding these types of problems must start with the simplest tests. Like when a table lamp will not turn on. First make sure that it is plugged in, then check the bulb. Don't go replacing the switch as the first option. Or when the car quits and leaves you on the side of the road. Got gas?
 
thanks
my first check will be head bolts. I all ready checked, valve end clearance seemed ok. The engine is coming out today, so just maybe i will have time between family stuff to investigate.
Phil
 
To busy today to pull the engine. Had an hour for me so I removed the head. I was really hoping to find a blown head gasket, but the gasket looked brand new. What I did find was the two middle sets of valves are clean as a whistle and the outside valves are black with a light carbon coat on them. The two middle pistons were also much cleaner. I also found some minor scoring on the two inside cylinders. I spoke to a friend today; he said it sounds like the fuel has been back washing the two centre cylinders. I hope to remove the engine Monday and start to tear it down, I think it is going to be a full tear down to check pistons, rings, rods etc., I am preying it will not need to much machine work if any. I think I might pitch my used HIF44 carb and buy a brand new one.
Cheers Phil
 
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