Great Forum - Tons of helpful information!!
I have been reading post and hope I'm heading in the right direction.
Oldest son gave me a '73 6302 a few years ago. I Never could get it to stay running. I started reading here and decided I might be able to repair it within reason. I ordered a carb rebuild kit and kept reading.
Upon tearing the carb down I found it to be clean(no trash) and in good shape. I purchased new plugs to go with the carb job.
Something told me to get the loaner compression gauge while at the parts store.
Several attempts on the compression test ended in the same results:
Dry Test
Upper cyl. - 60 PSI
Lower cyl. - 30 PSI
I sprayed PB Blast into both cylinders to see it it might loosen any stuck rings. After Soaking:
Upper cyl - 70 PSI
Lower cyl - 30 PSI
I pulled the head plate. Immediately noticed a wet area on the gasket about 1.5 inches wide in the lower right side of the bottom cylinder. (3) Head bolts around that area were kind of loose.(not torqued) Also no T-Stat installed.
Inspection:
Both clyinders are smooth with no pits, scoring or rust. Both pistons move freely up and down the bore.
Both pistons are tight. i.e. no side play or slop.
Additional test and decarb:
I leveled the engine on its side, cylinders up. Set the pistons even in the bores, blocking the intake/exhaust porting.
I filled each cylinder with PB Blast to the pistons tops.
1/2 hour soak - No fluid loss
1 hour soak - no fluid loss
Over night soak (12) hours - no fluid loss
This leads me to believe the rings are smooth and sealing well within the bores and the probable loss if compression is from the head gasket not sealing properly.
I have ordered a new gasket and T-stat.
Does it sound like I'm heading in the right direction?
I have been reading post and hope I'm heading in the right direction.
Oldest son gave me a '73 6302 a few years ago. I Never could get it to stay running. I started reading here and decided I might be able to repair it within reason. I ordered a carb rebuild kit and kept reading.
Upon tearing the carb down I found it to be clean(no trash) and in good shape. I purchased new plugs to go with the carb job.
Something told me to get the loaner compression gauge while at the parts store.
Several attempts on the compression test ended in the same results:
Dry Test
Upper cyl. - 60 PSI
Lower cyl. - 30 PSI
I sprayed PB Blast into both cylinders to see it it might loosen any stuck rings. After Soaking:
Upper cyl - 70 PSI
Lower cyl - 30 PSI
I pulled the head plate. Immediately noticed a wet area on the gasket about 1.5 inches wide in the lower right side of the bottom cylinder. (3) Head bolts around that area were kind of loose.(not torqued) Also no T-Stat installed.
Inspection:
Both clyinders are smooth with no pits, scoring or rust. Both pistons move freely up and down the bore.
Both pistons are tight. i.e. no side play or slop.
Additional test and decarb:
I leveled the engine on its side, cylinders up. Set the pistons even in the bores, blocking the intake/exhaust porting.
I filled each cylinder with PB Blast to the pistons tops.
1/2 hour soak - No fluid loss
1 hour soak - no fluid loss
Over night soak (12) hours - no fluid loss
This leads me to believe the rings are smooth and sealing well within the bores and the probable loss if compression is from the head gasket not sealing properly.
I have ordered a new gasket and T-stat.
Does it sound like I'm heading in the right direction?
