[TR] Have I blown a gasket?

[Bud R]

Sounds like you've been basically running on two and the occasional 3,  
maybe 4. You didn't mention how it ran before you started your testing.

Sounds like a head gasket  could be blown, but you might have an  
intake manifold leak too that could mess with the carbs, foul the  
plugs, gum up the valves, and affect the compression or all of the  
above also.

You can always try re- torquing the head and seeing if that helps, but  
since you have to take the rockers off anyhow you might as well do a  
new head gasket if it points to that. What color is the exhaust? Ask  
whoever might have been following you on the run if they noticed any  
colors from your tailpipe?


Bud Rolofson

Extreme Parts Racing (more than just a haircut)

71TR6 CC57365 (Good 6)
71 Spitfire MK IV Race Car #3
69 Spitfire MK III (back up FE engine/dinghy car)
93 Minnie Winnie Race Support Vehicle
77 Z-50A Hardly Davidson Honda Mini-Trail Bike (Triumph Pit Bike)











On May 8, 2014, at 12:53 PM, Lee&John Howard wrote:

> 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
>
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