Ok, so i have a question. my number 1 2 and 3 cylinders test fine with 120 psi. my 4th only tests to 95. would a head gasket leak like this in itself keep and engine that ran fine for 250 miles after the motor swap from now starting at all? it always had some trouble starting, but one it started it ran fine. anyone else have any other ideas if this problem in itself isnt to blame? do i just need to buy a new one? i mean hell...its a toda head gasket, and i have arp studs. can i tighten the arp studs down more than the 81 ft lbs that the manual recomends. please help.

oh, and anyone know a good shop to go to close to montana?? im about out of ideas and ready to truck it somewhere to get it all worked out. thanks again guys

 

Do NOT tighten the studs anymore than recomended specs EVER! you can cause yourself all sorts of headaches if you do that, worst case warping the head. Head gasket leaks aren't usually the cause of a single cylinder having low compression. try out this test, perform the compression check again, then take out the spark plug (or the hose to your compression gauge in this case) and add about a tablespoon full of motor oil into the hole. Do the test again, if the compression increased, you're leaking past the rings. If the reading is the same, do a leakdown test (or have your local shop perform one) they'll be able to determine where the compression is leaking. You could buy or borrow a leakdown tester yourself, but you'd need compressed air also. Pump the cylinder full of air once you make absolutely sure it's at TDC. Having it a few degrees off can be potentially dangerous for your engine (honda engines dont like to be spun clockwise, they skip teeth on their timing belts) and for you too (i've watched a friend get owned by a spinning 1/2" ratchet he was using to turn the crank.) Open the throttle body and listen if you hear the air escaping through there. Check your radiator for bubbles during the test, listen in the crankcase for air. You can get a ballpark estimate of where the compression is escaping like that.