Compression test for an engine out of a vehicle??

[Briggsy]

I am currently building my project and currently dont have an engine at all.

I have seen an engine for sale which has taken my fancy but it's out of a car and on a pallet.

I was wondering, is there any way to do a compression test to that engine whilst it is out of a car, or would it need fitting back to a car for this?

If it is possible, does anyone know anyone near the Derby area who would be able to come and look at the engine with me and do the compression test? Obviously I would pay for your fuel and time.

Thanks
Rob

 

[terry06]

I think it needs to be in a car really, unless there is a way of fitting the starter motor to turn it over on a stand or something. The compression tester needs to register a cranking speed of a couple hundred rpms I believe

 

[Briggsy]

It comes with starter motor and a lot of other auxiliaries, but I wouldn't have a clue on how to do it and dont have a tester.

 

[Jit]

You can do a test of sorts but bolting on a bellhousing and starter but it won’t be massively representative mainly because an engine needs to be hot to do a proper test. Compression is almost always high when cold

 

[Briggsy]

Ahh right, so even if I got one done it wouldn't properly represent if the engine is a healthy one or not due to it being cold?

 

[Jit]

Not really no

 

[Briggsy]

Okay, good to know before I paid someone to do it for me.

Would the only way to see if it is decent be to strip it down and look inside?

 

[Nas80]

If in doubt rebuild it anyway

 

[Briggsy]

If in doubt rebuild it anyway

I was thinking that would be the best option, if I couldnt get a compression test done. Which now I know isnt really worthwhile is the best way to go I think.

Thanks

 

[rob fd]

J port it.