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Cylinder compression for inactive L82

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Old Oct 16, 2019 | 10:14 PM
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Default Cylinder compression for inactive L82

I purchased a 1974 L82 that was restored cosmetically but not mechanically. It sat for 5-6 years and only started occasionally.
Supposedly the engine was rebuilt in 1990 and has only 20,000 miles on it. Each cylinders compression measured 140 lbs.
Leakdown was around 10 lbs. Does this sound good. With some tuning and adjustments it pulled 220 hp on a chassis dyno.
thanks Tom
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 08:53 AM
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Dunno which driveline yours has ... but assuming approx 20% driveline loss ... that 220 translates to about 275
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 09:39 AM
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Leak down testing is given as a percentage. 10% is a pretty worn out motor. Was it rings or the valves leaking.

New quality rebuilds are less than 3%
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 10:08 AM
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It’s a 4 speed and no power - brakes, air or steering. Will check to see where the leaks are next.
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Old Oct 17, 2019 | 10:22 AM
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This was last year on my 396 stroker motor. leak down was perfect , actually amazing for an older motor. But I had visible blue smoke from the valve guides leaking oil around the stems under high vacuum. Like between gear shifts.





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Old Oct 19, 2019 | 10:09 AM
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Stopped by the shop yesterday. I guess the leak down was less than 10%. Ok but not great. We did install the FITech EFI system. Motor runs great. Very smooth. We will do another dyno run to tune with the new system. Next year I’ll redo the motor as it’s tired. Ok for now but thinking higher compression pistons and aluminum head.
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Old Oct 19, 2019 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Runningwild
Stopped by the shop yesterday. I guess the leak down was less than 10%. Ok but not great. We did install the FITech EFI system. Motor runs great. Very smooth. We will do another dyno run to tune with the new system. Next year I’ll redo the motor as it’s tired. Ok for now but thinking higher compression pistons and aluminum head.
if it's still around 350-360ci ... Flattops & small vortec-type chambers (domes Not a match w/vortec) ...
... there are better cam profiles as well ... choose a piston with a thinner ringpak.
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Old Oct 20, 2019 | 06:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Runningwild
Stopped by the shop yesterday. I guess the leak down was less than 10%. Ok but not great. We did install the FITech EFI system. Motor runs great. Very smooth. We will do another dyno run to tune with the new system. Next year I’ll redo the motor as it’s tired. Ok for now but thinking higher compression pistons and aluminum head.
If it hasn’t run in awhile I wouldn’t get super excited about those leak down numbers. Leak downs are supposed to be done on a warm motor etc. I would run it some and then recheck. I bet it checks different
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Old Oct 20, 2019 | 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by kossuth
If it hasn’t run in awhile I wouldn’t get super excited about those leak down numbers. Leak downs are supposed to be done on a warm motor etc. I would run it some and then recheck. I bet it checks different
Right in your post he drove to the shop......
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Old Oct 20, 2019 | 12:42 PM
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But it’s had many more miles up and down than forwards. 😂
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