In the process of learning a lesson. (A bit long)

With a new piston /sleeve kit, new adjustable valves (and new exhaust seats), and a skim of the head and deck, I"ve only got 75,90,90,60 psi compression. Those numbers change to 95,98,98,85 with a squirt of oil.

I figure where I went wrong was in one of two places. First, the ring end gap was .016-.018 across the board when I checked them before installation. I asked the machine shop who supplied the kit and did the heavy work for me if that was too large since the book calls for .007-.012. They said that it should be fine. I also read somewhere that a service limit of .035 was acceptable?? I did not hone the new cylinders, they were between .002-.003 on the skirts and had a decent crosshatch, and I didn"t want to open the rings up anymore. I would have liked to get the crosshatch deeper but I held back.

The other thing that is nagging me is that they suggested that I grind the cam to go with the new lifters. I wonder if the lobe centers are off now adding to the ring problems.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I will look into oversized rings and possibly check the cam timing. To me, the compression test points to rings. Is there something else that it might be??

Thanks, to all

Also, new valves seem to stick in their new guides until enough run time wears them in where they rub together. While your wet compression results do not point directly to your valves, you could still have an issue there as well until broken in.

I am not saying you don't still have a potiential problem, but keep in mind new rebuilds won't give you perfect specs right off the bat - break in is required.

Good luck and keep up posted on the progress.

Dan

Charles

Soundguy