EA Compression + opinions ??? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

frankowitz · 10-27-2002, 23:03

Hi Guys,

Has anyone ran a compression test on their I6 lately?.

Mines done about 180000 kms and I ran a test on my EA 3.9 mpi yesterday before i ripped the head off. Got a reasonable reading on all except #1 and #6

1: 1050. second try after a shot of oil in the cyl 1200
2: 1150
3: 1100
4: 1200
5: 1250
4: 1400 (soon learnt that this was full of coolant)

Motor runs pretty smoothly and i reckon i've got reasonable oil pressure.

Have found the leak to be cause by a corroded water port on the head adjacent to #6.

Despite it's mileage and given it's condition I'd welcome opinions on my options.

1) Spend ~ 600 bucks on a reco-d head OR
2) put in a low mileage donk that I can find somewhere. (EA-ED)

Thanks in advance

Frankowitz

MightyEFGhia · 10-27-2002, 23:10

When I cracked the head on my NA 3.9, it had done 270,000kms. So I just decided to change it over with a low Kms EBII 4.0, i found one with 123,000kms and put it in for just over $1000.
But since your cars engine is relatively low in kilometers i reckon that you should send your head away to get reconditioned and then have some work done it like a new cam, etc... so that it goes harder.

10-27-2002, 23:12

How badly is your head corroded?

If it's not too bad, I would go with option number 3 which is take it down to a engine rebuilder place and get the head reconditioned for $160(should be around that price)

They will clean all the carbon off and check clearances and shave the head a bit and it'll get all your compression readings up to a good amount.

If the head is stuffed, you should try looking for a later model head and whacking it on. $600 for a second hand one seems a bit steep if you ask me.

frankowitz · 10-27-2002, 23:23

Thanks fellas,

sounds like good (and cheap which i like) options to look into.

there's a couple of spots on the old one where the water ports
are getting close to the gasket rings but the # 6 port is definately
unwelcome.

I guess the workshop would have to do a spot of welding to build up those ports before they machine it. Is that usually on the cards
on a reco job??

My guess of ~600 bucks was for a fully remanufactured head w/ valves.

BTW - Mr "HM GEM" salesman wants $2500 for his whizz bang donk.

Frankowitz

10-27-2002, 23:35

If it needs welding... don't do it.

Welding on Heads seems incredibly dodgy to me! If it needs that kind of repair, I'd say take it to the dump and get another head off a later model

frankowitz · 10-27-2002, 23:42

I think you are right. I think by the time a good workshop can prep the old head to get a good weld you'd be far better getting another one from a later model for probably less $$

they're not even heavy enough for boat anchors...... :oD

cheers!

Frankowitz

Brent79 · 10-28-2002, 15:58

Hey man, i noticed on yer stats that u got an EL ghia interior in yer NA! Have u got any pics dude? Id like to check it out!

Brent

MightyEFGhia · 10-30-2002, 00:40

yeah mate i do, give me ya email address n ill send u a pic of it

Brent79 · 10-30-2002, 15:47

Brent79@iprimus.com.au

EB2Fairmont · 10-30-2002, 20:24

Mighty NA,

me too

mitda001@students.unisa.edu.au

David