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Compression Test figures

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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 05:40 AM
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Default Compression Test figures

Would anyone know a ball park figure for cylinder compression on a '78 305.

Going to be doing the test properly over the weekend, tested one cylinder cold and got 120

this sound relatively low?
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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 06:22 AM
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Im no expert on these engines, but for a 305 with emission controlled heads and lower compression that sounds about right.
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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 07:24 AM
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What's considered high or low and as compared to what?? Often thought about it--I used to be told less than 90 and no more than a variation of 20 or so between cylinders????
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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 08:29 AM
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I agree on the variation, but I thought it should be a little higher 145-160 range . of course this depends on the mileage and condition of it all, when you did the comp. test did you have the throttle fully opened. Ron
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Old Jan 28, 2011 | 01:45 PM
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Tie the carburetor wide open. Don't worry so much about the number. You really want to see consistent numbers on all cylinders.
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Old Jan 29, 2011 | 03:56 AM
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Hi

The actual pressure reading does not only depend on the engine static compression ( 8:1 or 10:1 ) , but also on the cam used.

The compression check is mainly to check for pressure differences between the cylinders.

Rgds. Günther
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Old Jan 29, 2011 | 10:19 AM
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Compare the plugs too. If a low reading cylinder has a bad color plug, there may be trouble. 120 sounds pretty low to me.
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