Hey all, My 83 B150 van has been running poorly lately so I started with replacing the throttle plate on the carb. It runs better but not right. Today I took a compression test and here are the results: 1) 120 2) 150 3) 160 4) 160 5)150 6) 160. I rechecked no. 1 to be sure and got the same reading. Also, it has either a bad exhaust gasket or a cracked manifold.
( I'm waiting until it gets a little warmer to do a super six conversion and lean burn upgrade) so that isn't an issue, but could it have something to do with the no. 1 cylinder low number? Any imput would be a great help-

_________________
83 B150 /6 4spd
97 JeepWrangler Sport 4.0
2001 VW Beetle TDI 5sp
2000 Nissan Xterra
73 Dodge B300 van

Spray some oil in #1, then recheck the compression. If it comes way up the rings are probably getting weak. If it stays the same, look at valves or head gasket problems.

_________________
66 Valiant, 225.
84 Van, 225.
71 Maxi-Van, 318
60 Valiant wagon, 225
87 Maxi-Van, 318 4spd

If you are still running the lean burn (planning lean burn upgrade?) I would ditch it first and then ditch it again. I had issues with my 84, thinking it was carb related i rebuilt the 1bbl. having ruled it out (and seeing the PO had pulled most every vacuum hose to the lean burn) I suspected the Lean burn system. So I pulled it next and done the coversion to HEI. One of the single best things I done, smoothed out like you wouldnt believe. Then again, a lil oil and another check of the rings is quicker and easier. Let us know what you find.
Pohlman

_________________
225, Offenhauser, Holley 350, A833OD, 3:55, GM HEI,99 Durango starter
BOOSTED! WH1C, BIG FMIC, 10#
Operation Noble Eagle 03-05
Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07
Operation Enduring Freedom 12- 13

Yes, a leak or crack can have a lot to do with low compression on that cylinder.
You may have an exhaust valve that has been damaged.

CJ

_________________
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Thanks for all of the perspective- last night before I wrapped it up for the day I pulled the distributor cap and found both of the pick-ups heavily corroded!! I have a good ( if you will ) spare and will swap it out today. I'll post what I find

_________________
83 B150 /6 4spd
97 JeepWrangler Sport 4.0
2001 VW Beetle TDI 5sp
2000 Nissan Xterra
73 Dodge B300 van

My memory has degraded since my Iraq adventure....yes I remember pulling my dizzy as well and it was all like white flakey build up or something to that effect. I found it when I switched to the new cap and rotor. Napa/echlin MO-3000 rotor that has a .060 longer tip. Pulled that info from the HEI tech page. Once all the HEI is in and set, it's a dream. I'm thinking I also poured some cleaner in the valve cover to clean up the rockers etc, maybe sea foam? Don't remember. Keep us posted.
Pohlman

_________________
225, Offenhauser, Holley 350, A833OD, 3:55, GM HEI,99 Durango starter
BOOSTED! WH1C, BIG FMIC, 10#
Operation Noble Eagle 03-05
Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07
Operation Enduring Freedom 12- 13

First of all thank you Ssg pohlman for your service. I pulled the dist and installed a good used unit. It ran a little better. I drove my van to the store to get the engine good and hot. As recomended, I squirted oil in the no.1 cylinder and performed the compression test again. no.1 cyl 153!! I also discovered that the manifold gasket is leaking in the no.1 and no.3 cylinder. With all of that going on, I have already pulled most of the front end today and I am going to pull the engine this week. I have an 81 engine rebuilt on the stand in the garage. [/url][/list]

_________________
83 B150 /6 4spd
97 JeepWrangler Sport 4.0
2001 VW Beetle TDI 5sp
2000 Nissan Xterra
73 Dodge B300 van