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Hey guys,

I'm a newby when it comes to invasive repair with a motor but I think my piston rings are shot. I did a compression test on the first cylinder and I only got 90. I'm pretty sure I did it right but not positive. It's leaking oil pretty bad from the outside of the block. I thought it was the valve cover but the oil is coming from the seam where the head gasket meets the block(pretty sure). My exhaust isn't smoking though and the power seems like its always been. But if the rings are the case, is it better to get it rebuilt by a professional or do it myself? I'm out in Colorado so if anyone knows of a good shop let me know. Thanks guys.

If you redo the compression test with a little dab (like a teaspoon-ish) of oil in the cylinder it will give you an idea of whether it is the rings or not. If it goes up just a bit (like from 90 to 95-100) it is probably low for another reason like valves, headgasket, etc. If it comes up quite a bit then the rings/pistons/bore are worn.

Oil leaks can be deceiving too. A leak along the block to head seam is usually going to be water not oil. You are probably seeing oil that has seeped down somewhere else and flowed around the gap to run off where it appears to be coming out.

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77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
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Thanks man, I feel a little bit of hope. I'm gonna get it checked out by a mechanic on saturday. Thanks for all the help I really appreciate it.

When doing a compression test, make sure you crank it over three or four times, and with the throttle wide open.