Compression Check

I like my mechanic and respect his work tremendously. However, he didn't report compression numbers when discussing a new engine recently. Curious, I measured it myself.

167, 166, 157, 157 ....at Denver's altitude. It doesn't seem to spell doom.

Changing Plugs

Two of the plug alleys had this odd rubber thing blocking the wrench. It turned out to be an annoying part of the plug wire that didn't come out with the wire.. I bought some long-reach needle nose pliers at the car parts store. One of them came out in once piece.








There is some ash on the plugs:

Much Better: $2300

Brakes: pads,disks and labor: $400
Tie-rod end: $200
Alignment: $100
Timing Belt: $1100
Valve Shims: $150

Still has a leaky rear main seal. We're waiting for a clutch or engine to make that a no-brainer.

need: clutch and brake fluid flush, wipers, plugs.

Bad News: scratched cam journal

I took the car in for some chassis work (brakes, alignment) as well as a new timing belt and valve adjustment. By chance the mechanics noticed that the journals were swapped. The exhaust journals (? the part that comes off, not the part cast into the head) were over the intake valves. One of them had a scratch that I don't have a picture of. You can see the scratched shaft and journal in the pix below.
It's dicey, but we decided to try in-shop polishing and re-assembly over putting new headwork on short-block showing its age or going for a different engine just yet.