Re: 1940 110 Compression

Posted by PackardV12fan On 2008/9/23 9:18:50

you probably can not spot a head-gasket leak with a compression test. The amount of air that can make a LOT of noise leaking out of a head-gasket leak is typically too small in volume to make much of a difference.

Unfortunately, Packard's engineers "missed the boat" on cyl. head hold-downs. Too far apart. Not enough of them. All Packards are prone to cyl. gasket failure (well, I dont know about the V-8's - other than tune-ups, never worked on one).

Best way to avoid this, is reasonably frequent re-torquing of cyl. head hold-downs. Follow the head-tightening sequence in the shop manuals.

When EVER you pull a cyl. head, check its face - Packard heads, both alum. and steel, are prone to warping. Any half-way decent machine shop can re-surface the cyl. head.

You are NOT likely to find un-even-ness in a Packard block.

I personally do not believe in gasket paste on cyl. heads. Not convinced it can stop a gasket leak under the pressure of combustion. When I replace a cyl. head, I just spray it with a light engine oil, so that when I tighten the head-bolts, the gasket will "crush and slip" nicely as the cyl. head comes down. Works for me.