<VV> Zero Compression Update

[Sam & Marissa Andolino]

Our Corsa Turbo engine had over 95,000 miles (the odometer was stuck at
95,000) and was burning oil.  Several experts suggested rebuilding the heads
after the car dropped a valve at the CORSA National.  So we decided to do a
engine rebuild including cam, crank, lifters, jugs, pistons, valves, rocker
springs as well as having the heads cleaned. We know it is expensive thing
to do, but we wanted to start with everything new.  Are we glad we did!

Upon disassembling the head, we found different style lifters in the #1
cylinder, so this cylinder probably had problems before.  The lifter in the
#2 cylinder, that shares the exhaust lobe on the cam with #1, was deformed
and the cam lobe had a 1/16" groove on one side.  We removed the pistons,
the compression rings on 3 of them were broken and some of the main bearings
were scored.

Is there a way to check to see if a lifter is bad?  Also, the previous owner
drove the turbo without a harmonic balancer and a 95hp pulley.  Could this
have caused the wearing on the cam?  Some people say do not put new lifters
on an old cam - would this be part of the problem?


Sam & Marissa Andolino
mandolin@rochester.rr.com
1963 Red Monza Convertible
1966 Blue Corsa Turbo Coupe