I pulled my motor out for some cleanup reasons, and Ive noticed that it's been smoking a little more than Id like. I dont know if the mixture wasnt right or if Im lekaing oil or coolant into the cylidner somewhere. This is the first motor I built so Il a littke sketchy. Id like to do a compression test on it now while it's out of the car, seems it would be easier to fix leaks that way. Most compression testers Ive seen require to remove one of the apark plugs and turn the motor over. However, the starter isnt hooked up and (for the time being) there's no oil in the motor either. Is there a way to check compression with the way my motor sits right now? I suspect some piston ring failure from the looks of it, but I want to be 100% when i reinstall the motor. Thanks!!!

 

no. not really an easy way. I guess you could put it on a stand and hook up a starter and go at it. never done it that way myself.

 

More useful than a compression test is a leakdown test, which doesn't need the starter, but does need compressed air.

 

ive heard of leakdown testers before from my DSM days, couldnt I make one pretty cheap? IIRC those things arent cheap to buy off the shelf. Ive got 155psi air at the shop

 

They're pretty easy to make with a handful of brass fittings and a couple of gauges.

 

Actualy, the gauge sets really aren't that expensive, and are EXTREMELY useful...... tells alot more about an engine that a simple compression test.