• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

NO compression

  • Thread starter Thread starter mister5150
  • Start date Start date Jun 6, 2010
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 6, 2010
#1
  • Jun 6, 2010
  • #1
Just finished head gaskets and went to start car... and nothing thumb over # 1 plug ...and nothing seems i have no compression at least in that cylinder engine is spinning fast when i try to start it ......Im thinking that the rocker arms are either over torqued or under torqued i was shooting for 24#s unfortunately the only torque wrench i had was a bar type.. could over or under torqued rocker arms cause this? thanks for any suggestions
 
S

stang9150

Member
Dec 26, 2005
142
6
18
Jun 7, 2010
#2
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #2
Sounds like you are correct and the valves are too tight.Are these stud or pedestal mounted rockers?
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 7, 2010
#3
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #3
Thanks for the reply... they are pedestal mount rocker arms.. i torqued them to what i thought was 24#s but i didnt have my clicker type torque wrench all i had was a bar type which i had never used before so there is a chance that i over torqued them.. the engine is spinning really fast when i try to start it i have done head gaskets several times before and never had this issue but i always had my torque wrench......this is a stock short block stock heads have been cut 010,cobra intake,vortech v3 6psi
 
S

stang9150

Member
Dec 26, 2005
142
6
18
Jun 7, 2010
#4
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #4
might just try backing off one of the nuts on 1 cylinder see if you get compression.
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 7, 2010
#5
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #5
yeah i wont get back to the car till wed jus tryin to troubleshoot in the meantime... not really sure what else would cause this
 
B

BYRDPE

Founding Member
Nov 4, 1998
1,556
0
37
Memphis,Tn.
Jun 7, 2010
#6
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #6
i gather you have not verified the dizzy is stabbed correctly since you are trying to get #1 on the compression stroke.
i agree it's probably the valve adjustments.
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 7, 2010
#7
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #7
BYRDPE said:
i gather you have not verified the dizzy is stabbed correctly since you are trying to get #1 on the compression stroke.
i agree it's probably the valve adjustments.
Click to expand...

we were attempting to find tdc and that's how I found out there was no compression i then spun the crank manually got it to tdc on the compression stroke droped the dizzy in and tried to start it
 
B

BYRDPE

Founding Member
Nov 4, 1998
1,556
0
37
Memphis,Tn.
Jun 7, 2010
#8
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #8
what method did you use to adjust the preload?
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 7, 2010
#9
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #9
@byrdpe thanks for your reply..... honestly i didnt use a method ive been gettin away with just torqueing them down to 23-25ft#s...its worked up until now
 
S

steelie4u

Member
Jun 27, 2009
78
0
7
Jun 7, 2010
#10
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #10
on the rockers you need to set the preload, bring exhaust to just opening and set the intake rocker by loosening the poly lock and SLOWLY tighten it as you try and spin the pushrod, make sure the pushrod is seated in the lifter, when you feel slight resistance this is zero lash and stop tightening, now tighten the nut 1/4 to 1/2 turn and then use wrench and hold the nut on the rocker and use allen wrench and lock it down with the screw in the middle this gives the lifters preload hope this helped
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 7, 2010
#11
  • Jun 7, 2010
  • #11
thanks for the reply Steelie4u but these are stock pedestal mount rockers i was under the impression these could just be torqued down and that they are not adjustable
 
B

BYRDPE

Founding Member
Nov 4, 1998
1,556
0
37
Memphis,Tn.
Jun 8, 2010
#12
  • Jun 8, 2010
  • #12
mister5150 said:
thanks for the reply Steelie4u but these are stock pedestal mount rockers i was under the impression these could just be torqued down and that they are not adjustable
Click to expand...

this is correct.
just follow crane's instructions below and see if it helps.
CraneCams
 
S

steelie4u

Member
Jun 27, 2009
78
0
7
Jun 8, 2010
#13
  • Jun 8, 2010
  • #13
mister5150 said:
thanks for the reply Steelie4u but these are stock pedestal mount rockers i was under the impression these could just be torqued down and that they are not adjustable
Click to expand...


my bad i thought you had stud mounted, anyways good luck
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 10, 2010
#14
  • Jun 10, 2010
  • #14
so.. i spent all day working on this thing and i still have no compression .... the timing chain is good cause i have valve train movement ....the only time i have compression is when i totally loosen the rocker arms however even the slightest bit of torque on the rocker arms opens the valves torqued to specs after leak down test i can hear air coming out of intake manifold and tail pipe myself and several others in the shop are lost..any help is appreciated this is my only car currently...thanks
 
S

stang9150

Member
Dec 26, 2005
142
6
18
Jun 10, 2010
#15
  • Jun 10, 2010
  • #15
Did anything else change are did you just do head gaskets? Just asking push rod length maybe?I would think with rockers all the way loose that the valves would not move at all.You never pulled the timing set right? Iam just brain storming here.
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 10, 2010
#16
  • Jun 10, 2010
  • #16
stock pushrods they had been working fine with this same setup,never pulled the timing chain i even checked too make sure that it had not jumped...you are correct the valves would not move when the rockers are completely loose but that was my way to verify whether it was rings or valves..
 
M

mister5150

New Member
May 17, 2010
37
0
0
Jun 10, 2010
#17
  • Jun 10, 2010
  • #17
Now... i might be reaching here but so far the only thing i could come up with is this.....the engine seen some water when the head gasket gave is it posible that the lifters seized therefore not preloading?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Engine Why won't the motor start if I have spark and fuel
  • LeviAnderson
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
471
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 20, 2025
AeroCoupe
D
Roller rockers with no compression
  • DPORTER0729
  • Jan 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
985
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 23, 2025
mobilly
M
J
'04 3.8L V6 mineral deposits and oil on #3 cylinder. Does it need a rebuild or something simpler?
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 18, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
427
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Aug 23, 2026
Noobz347
H
Ongoing Battle With Hydraulic Lifters
  • hailer06
  • Jun 8, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
389
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 9, 2026
Noobz347
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
286
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?