So, my son has a 92 accord ex. Really nice car, but it has a bit of an issue. The engine needed replaced, so I picked up a used f22 from a guy, who had upgraded his to an h22?(dohc). Anyway, oil looked good, he said it ran fine. I put on new timing belt, water pump and clutch. While hanging on the hoist, I thought it'd be a good idea to compression test it, before I dropped it in. After adjusting valves and double checking timing, came up 120, 100, 100 and 90, seemed really low, I don't know how many miles are on engine. However, it didn't have an intake or exhaust manifold installed(which shouldn't matter right?). My thought it next to take head, get it machined(valve job,test compression etc). Any other ideas? Thanks! Also he's on a very small budget.

 

Those numbers are on the low side and the amount of variance from the lowest to the highest is too much to ignore. Yes, the manifolds won't matter. You are testing the cylinder pressure.

 

I am not sure how yoy did a compression test unless you had a starter hooked up to spin it fast enough. I would do a leak down test first and check leakage

 

Yeah, I used the starter. Transmission and engine was hanging on the hoist. I had a thought, add a lil oil and do test again. This could rule out rings. I've never done s leak down test, what is a good pressure to use? Thanks for tips.
BTW, typo on numbers #4 cylinder was 60, not 90

 

A leakdown test will tell you what element has failed. Ie air whistling at exhaust or intake 2ill tell you valves. Whistling at oil dip stick is rings/head gasket. Coolant hoses will tell you head gasket

 

Yes, you can hook up a starter while the engine is out and do the same compression test that you do when the engine is installed. Engine importers do this all the time.

 

I did the leak down. Used about 20psi. All 8 exhaust valves were leaking at tdc. I thought it was odd they were all leaking, so I ensured piston(s) were at tdc, then completely loosed up the exhaust valve rocker arm, so the spring would be completely free(ensuring valve is as closed as it could be). But still all leaked. So, the local machine shop wanted $200 to do valve job. But I found a completely rebuilt/tested head for $189. I'll go that route. Will advise next week.