that's not good

 

stock is supposed to be 172psi. the fact they're down isn't so bad, the fact you have 20psi variance between cylinders is terrible. usually you want about half that to consider an engine borderline healthy

 

squirt some oil down each bore, and test them again. if they stay the same, then it's the valve stems or the valve seats. if they get better, then the bottom end is leaking compression. throw the engine away and find a cheap/free replacement

 

or rebuild it with new rings, though that may prove to be a bigger project than intended if you need new pistons or to oversize your bores, and you can't really tell until it's all apart and measured. personally, i wouldn't bother rebuilding a 3k, there's so much more potential in a 4k

Yeah true thanks for the Super Jamie, I will try some oil down each bore and test it again. Yeah, I don't think I could be bothered rebuilding a 3K but the thing is my old man is too busy with other shit to help me with my car and to tell you the truth, I know some things about pulling motors out but I don't think I could manage to rip it out, I'm not that mechanical minded heh. Tho Trents parts car KE55 has a 4K in it, I might pull that out and give that a rebuild huh? Or would trying to source a 5K be a better idea? Anyways thanks for the comments Jamie your very helpful on these forums :S

 

Brad

Edited December 27, 200520 yr by Brad

well, a 4k you can usually get for cheap or free, a 5k is worth a few hundred dollars at least. it really depends how much you want to spend and how much cash, time effort you want to put into it

 

from a modification standpoint, a 5k is better than a 4k, it's got more torque and you don't have to rev it as hard to make power, but a 4k isn't a crap engine as far as K motors go either. both respond well to basic mods like extractors, cam and compression, but you'll need to get fiddly with changing the 5k to solid lifters if you change the cam, which you can read about in the faq

 

if i were you, i would find something you don't have to rebuild, and just drop that in your car :S

hmmm

 

interesting stuff, and that variation between cylinders is bad like Jamie said. Stupid 3K's, just throw it.

 

Anyway, I have a 4K rocker cover for you that I got from the coast, and a 3K cap if you want to use it while you clean the 4K one up.

 

Just let me know if you still want.

Cool thanks Jamie, well I have a 4K in my brothers 55 he is wrecking but I think it needs some rebuilding. Thanks for your helpful comments.

 

Cool Rolla_Boy, I bought a cheap oil cap for the time being which looks crappy, so if you could tell me how much postage is for the parts, I'd be happy to take them off your hands :S

 

Brad

PM me, or msn me your address, and I will post it to u

hi,

On my 3K I tied string around the oil cap and to the air intake filter holder. If it pops off (regulary) it stays on and if the string is in the right spot it gets agood tight seal and doesnt come off. But for $4 at the local super cheap I can get a oil breather for car all chrome and it is filled with air filter foam and lets fuems vent? will this be good or am i loosing valuble pressure I need in the head area on the rockers?

 

cameron