Hello eveyone. I have been trying to track down this problem that I thought was just a manifold gasket that was leaking really bad. I discovered that the manifold was missing the next to last hold down bolt, and the very last one was working itself loose. I would tighten it and the faltering on the freeway would go away and I could flog it all the way to 4,000 RPM... until the bolt works itself loose again.
The other day on the freeway, in the midst of a 70-75+ MPH flogging, she started to falter and I backed off immediately. It didnt surge like it usually does when its the loose bolts. It started running really rough, sounding strange, and I could feel a distinct loss in power when trying to accelerate.
I came home and checked my compression, #1 was at ~20-ish PSI dry, and wet only got about another 5-ish PSI. The rubber grommet that seals the compression gauge against the cylinder head had broken, and I was able to use the washer off a spare spark plug to get it to seal. Not the best means to seal, but it worked better than nothing at all. CYL #2 was 125, #3 130, #4 110, #5 120, and 6 was 135. I was able to gain about 5-10 additional PSI when I attained a decent seal. Compression was always on the low side, but never really below around 110-115, and never higher than 135.
My radiator does leak, but I dont see coolant in the oil or vice versa. I thought maybe number one burnt through the cylinder head itself, but im not burning coolant. just lots of oil. all 6 plugs had a lot of ash and buildup on them.
What do you folks think? I hope it's just a burnt exhaust valve. Head gasket would be ok too, just a real P.I.T.A.
