64 283 with low compression

[Jmageee902004]

I did a compression check on my 1964 283 and it seems that every cylinder seems to have low compression ranging from 60-90psi. Is their a way to find out if its the valves or rings that have gone bad without taking the heads off? I don't want to take apart the engine just yet because it runs and drives and i don't want to take it out of commission. Plus im not to the point of taking apart engine for rebuild just yet anyways, im just looking to the future.

[Cobblemizer]

If you can, do a cylinder leakdown test. listen for air leaking from the carb then listen at the tailpipe and last listen through the oil fill cap. hope this helps.

[fleetsidelarry]

I seem to recall that if you shot a squirt or two of oil into the cylinder thru the plug hole, maybe spun it over a time or two, then checked the compression if a valve were leaking the pressure would stay low but with bad rings the pressure would come up.

[bama63]

x2 fleetsidelarry

[awbrown]

the most common problem with 283 engines is the lack of hardened valve seats..I have seen the valves recess into the head up to .100 ...when the lifter bottoms the valves are actually heald up off the seats then the valve burns and you have no compression...