Where can I find instructions on how to perform and analyse a compression check?

What equipment will I need?

MTmace

 

Do you have a autozone,napa or checkers auto parts store? They have the compression tool you will neeed.

 

Buy one of these compression gauges, they range from $20 on up. Disconnect the positive input to your distributor so it can't start. Unscrew your first spark plug and screw in the compression gauge fitting and hose. Then make sure the gausge isn't in harms way of moving parts. Crank the engine over for about 3-5 seconds. Then check the gauge and it should hold the highest reading. Do this to all the rest of the cylinders and don't forget to replace the spark plug that you just did. Compare all your readins and they should not vary more than 10 percent of each other.

The more milder the cam = higher readings.
The more radical the cam = lower readings.

Example:

on my 383, all my readings were between 205 and 215. This is good. I was actually expecting lower readings because my large cam bleeds off alot of pressure. This is how I found out that I don't have the "large" cam in my engine like I was told by the engine builder. I am replacing the cam this winter!