<VV> Advice on Rings (was Help - Oil Out Dipstick Tube)

[Michael Kovacs]

Good advice. I have an alternate adapter (home made). Take a used spark plug, 
carefully smash out the enamel insulator. This leaves a hollow shell of the 
spark plug. I screwed and brazed a male air hose connector into the hollow spark 
plug. Now direct, metered air can be applied to the cylinder 
per Terry's directions.
 MIKE KOVACS 



----- Original Message ----
From: "tkalp at cox.net" <tkalp at cox.net>
To: Virtual Vairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wed, September 8, 2010 11:26:21 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Advice on Rings (was Help - Oil Out Dipstick Tube)

First, sorry about your bad luck with the new engine.

Second, how to isolate the problem to rings or valves.

Pull the cylinder up on top-dead-center

Pressurize the cylinder, it only takes 10 - 20 lbs.  My screw-in compression 
gauge has a quick disconnect from the hose to the gauge.  Pop the quick 
disconnect apart and use the hose end only.  Remove the Schrader valve at the 
end of the hose that goes into the cylinder.  Screw the hose into the spark plug 
hole.  Hook up a regulated air supply to the quck connect and listen for air 
escaping.  If you hear it in the crankcase it is rings (or a holed piston which 
is highly unlikely in your case) If it is in the intake, check the intake valve 
. . . . exhaust, exhaust valve.  If a valve is leaking losen the rocker until 
there is some clearance, if it still leaks it is a valve problem.

Even the best make mistakes once in awhile and I do it all the time . . . .  
Check everything, find out what is wrong, fix it then enjoy your Corvair.  Don't 
panic at a puff of smoke at startup,  most of mine do it once every couple of 
years, parked at an angle, or just plain onreyness.  Do watch the compression, 
that is the true indication of your problem.  Good Luck.

tkalp
wichita, ks