[TR] Have I blown a gasket?

[Lee&John Howard]

Hello list:

Following a club run last weekend, I did some basic testing on the TR4.
Found that plugs #1 and #2  were fouled, especially #2, which had an oil
drip on its tip. Proceeded to check the compression : 110 on #1 & 2; 156 on
#3&4.  Then I remembered something peculiar at the Webers. The front carb ,
feeding the front cylinders, has for a while not seemed fully effective;
eg, you can't choke off engine by blocking one or both throats, whereas
choking either of the rear throats will stall the engine. Finally, I do
have to top off the radiator more than would seem usual, with no leakage
apparent.

So - Have I blown the gasket? Or perhaps it wasn't seated properly in the
first place. I reassembled this engine some 5 years ago, so anything is
possible. Compression readings four years ago were 135, 130, 130, 135
(cold) - close enough. The readings above were done on a warm engine and
were the same wet and dry.

Your thoughts?  And thanks, as always.

John Howard