<VV> One more head question e-mail

[ChiefTAM@aol.com]

OK, I know that I have asked a lot of questions about by low compression 
problem and head removal, and I just need to get on with tearing it apart, but I 
have just a couple of more questions.

I was out this afternoon taking off accessories, removing shrouds, and 
spraying the head and exhaust bolts with penetrating spray.  While doing this, I was 
able to get my fiancee out to turn over the engine while I looked from 
underneath with the rocker cover off.  

I got to admit, this engine really looks clean, at least under the rocker 
covers.  I suppose this should be the case in an engine that has not hit 50,000 
miles yet.  As we turned the engine over, I heard no unusual mechanical noises, 
the thing just spun over freely.  Nothing hitting, clacking or clanking.  The 
valve train went up and down, around, just like it was supposed to.  I could 
not tell any difference in rocker arm travel between #4 cylinder, the one with 
only 60 lbs. compression, and the other two cylinders.  

As I can't do a leakdown test, I am just guessing that the problem has to be 
one of 4 things:
a valve seat just loose enough to cause low compression but not out enough to 
cause anything to bind or allow the perceptable close of the valve
a hole in a piston
a broken piston ring
a bad head gasket
 The engine seemed to run smoothly when I started it the last time, seemed to 
run up OK, and then I notice a miss like it was loading up on gas.  I didn't 
notice any preceptable smoke, and the engine has never used oil.

Now, with a hole in the piston or a broken ring, would it not smoke?  I 
believe it was Patiomatt that said you could put some small amount of oil in the 
spark plug hole, run the compression test again, and if it goes up, it's rings, 
stays the same, its valves. I think I will try this before I tear the head off 
it I can find something small to get some oil in there.  Was it an ounce or 
so?

How common is a broken head gasket?  I don't suppose I could be lucky enough 
that this would be the problem.

Someone mentioned putting on acorn nuts on the upper head studs to keep the 
ends of the threads clean.  Was this done by Chevy?  I just looked at mine and 
they have the chrome acorn nuts on them.  Do you take these nuts off first by 
going shallow with the socket and then take off the head nut?

THanks again for all the help

Todd
Dallas