The engine appears to have gotten hot, and had a blown radiator hose. I was told it had a blown head gasket but found that not to be the case. I have had the head checked with new valve seals installed. Everything is at tdc and the rotor is pointing to the #1 sparkplug. I am getting spark and fuel. A cooling system pressure check slowly looses pressure, but I cannot hear or see any leak even with the plugs pulled.The engine will not fire. It sounds like it wants to. I can hear popping in the carburator.

 

What are the compression results?

Do a complete compression check and make sure it holds the PSI to it's peak. If it's losing pressure, then your valve seals are bad, headgasket is bad or not properly installed.

Some sort of compression is coming out and is not enough to make a complete power stroke.

HTH.

 

Compression reads 140-135 across the cyclinders. It is so close to starting, but just cant make it over the hump. We did drain the oil and it was watery so that must mean a cracked water jacket, oh well. I think that we are going to get another motor.

 

sounds like the problem.

she wants to start but just isn't turning over. with one of the water jackets cracked, the motor will not last long anway. I'd get yourself another motor as well.

good luck man

 

Would a crack water jacket keep it from starting?

Also, you don’t happen to know whether the 84 head would be compatible with an 88dx block, do ya?