Compression on 248

[Only Buicks]

I am just getting ready to drop the engine into my car. I want to check the compression before I install it to see if all is well (somewhat). What should I get for a reading on a cold engine? Are there any other checks I should make prior to installing it into the car? I beleive this engine was done some time ago and then just never installed in the car. I removed the head and the cylinders look good, no ridge. The valves look like they where probably re-ground. As the previuos owner passed away a few years ago I can't call him up and ask him how far he got and if there was anything else he needed to do to it. I have never rebuild an engine so I am not really sure what I should be watching out for.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Mark Shaw]

Without a reference manual for your car, you can still verify that compression is very close to the same on all cylinders. However, I suggest you add a teaspoon of Marvel oil to each cylinder and crank the engine a few times before testing compression on a cold engine.