Please post the part numbers of the heads on your engine. I purchased/ran a 1979 200 hp crossflow for a number of years, after complete overhaul. When originally purchased, it came with a set of 1983 324/325 low compression bathtub heads, the compression was initially 75-80 lbs at first startup after the overhaul. Once the engine got broken in, these low compression heads would make around 90 lbs compression. After removing them and installing a set of 457/457 stock 1979 heads, the compression increased to 110. With a set of high compression early 235 heads 872/873 heads, the compression ran 120. So, before you condemn the engine, check to see what heads you are running. Are they period correct? I've seen a lot of engines where one head was replaced and it was not a matching period-correct head. Make sure your head part numbers match the factory parts lists. Also, you can change compression easily with different heads.