Zero Compression after head gasket replacement?

Tiny
WINGER5008
  • MEMBER
  • 1979 FORD BRONCO
  • 6.6L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 2,000 MILES
Changed head gaskets as old were seeping oil. Compression was normal when done.

Used Fel-Pro head gaskets and torqued by the instructions. Lifters do not require lash just to be torqued to spec.

Engine backfired once on ether and then gas down carb but no start. Found timing was 30 advanced so backed off to zero. Still no start.

checked for compression #1 and next cylinder and had zero. Engine sounds like running free when starting.

removed valve cover on one side and valves are all opening and closing. I do need to check both valves are closed at #1 cylinder when at TDC was too cold to do yesterday.

This engine has sat for about 2 months open to the atmosphere although I did spray down the cylinder walls with WD40.

This is a Ford 400 engine and all that was replaced was the head gaskets and intake. The dizzy did have to be pulled and it did not go in exactly where it came out (30 degrees advanced) and this is when it backfired.

Is this a case where the compression rings are no longer seated properly? Will something like a Seafoam treatment down the plug holes over a few days will help? Evidently this does happen I just would not have expected over a couple of months.
Monday, January 15th, 2024 AT 8:27 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,207 POSTS
It sounds like the lifters have not bled down after the disassembly; can I ask how long after the reassembly did you try to start it? Sometimes if you let it sit for a few days the lifters will bleed back down and you will get the compression back. Also, is there a change the firing order is incorrect? Here is what the firing order should look like. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, January 15th, 2024 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
WINGER5008
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It was at least a couple of weeks if not more between buttoning up the engine and trying to start. The lifters were not removed from the engine, just the pushrods and rockers. As far as firing order is concerned, I have the wires in an aluminum wire loom, so all goes back together correctly. Removed all in one piece from both sides.

I will try and pull the other 2 plugs on the left side and check compression across the whole bank. Only 34 degrees here so don't how long I can stand it. While I am at it, I will attempt to see if both #1 valves are closed at TDC as best as I can tell. They were going up and down.
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Monday, January 15th, 2024 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
WINGER5008
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Do you have the procedure for the hydraulic lifter adjustment? Torque setting and where the valves should be? Are the valves at the bottom of the head the exhaust?
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Monday, January 15th, 2024 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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This depends on which cylinder heads you have; can you upload an image of the rocker arms? Some you just tighten while others there is a procedure.

Here is a video of the job being done on a similar engine:

https://youtu.be/DVVW_mgo1YE?si=sEopKaUdkZU1RW42

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
WINGER5008
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I found they just needed to be properly torqued down which I did correctly. It appears I have compression rings that are stuck in the grooves. The engine tried to start the first crank but was 30 advanced and backfired. Checked compression and now zero.

Looks like it is going to need a solvent soak through the spark plug holes for a period of time?
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Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, I would try that, so you can feed a little bit of motor oil inside a cylinder and redo the compression test, the results should go up, if not I would revisit the valves, so are the valves nonadjustable? Do you have a bolt holding the rockers or a nut and stud? Also, did you have a valve job done?
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
WINGER5008
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I found the issue had me stumped. My manual says valve train automatically adjusted by the hydraulic lifters by torque only. Discovered the heads had been changed and the rockers are the adjustable type. Loosened and 150PSI compression. Thanks though for responding tough to diagnose without hands on.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, January 18th, 2024 AT 10:30 AM

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