[toddtheo]

what should the compression on an 87 2.3l be all i can find is a percent it can be different all 4 cyl's are at 30 lbs but even though that seems low to me im not experinced with 4 cyl's.

[artistang]

A fresh engine will pump somewhere between 125-150. It's has been my experience that anything under 50 is hard to crank, lots of blow by, and low on power. I am suprised you can even get the car to run on 30. The compression tester that screws in the plug hole or one the you just hold over the plug hole while some turns the engine over are pretty reliable and will tell you if you have a major problem.

For a more diagnostic compresion test, a differiential compression tester should be used, this will tell you whether you are losing compression through the rings, ex valve or in valve.

[toddtheo]

guess that means its time to pul the motor

[Marvin]

With all plugs out and the throttle blocked open, my '88 reads 160 to 170.

[toddtheo]

a look at the pistons no wonder i only had 30 lbs o well engine transplant about complete time to bore this engine out 30 over or just the min?