HELP ive dropped a cylinder

[TCSTEVE]

OK. i need some advice please.
Got a new resinator and flange gasket on the car saturday after the muffler blew and the flange was leaking quite heavily. TC Cortina 250 pre Auto.
Yesterday it was missing at idle but smothed out and wasn't to bad.
Today after giving it some stick in high rpm range it lost power and started "coughing" and now it idles worse and its rough early and just before 55 Km/h

Ive tried everything i know besides comp test as it dont have one
Pulled the lead off number 2 while running and it didn't make a difference.
Its got spark and i tried different leads and plugs still nothing. Then i took the plug out of 2 and it cranked over and started. id the same with no. 1 and it only ran for 3 seconds and was louder then with no. 2 plug missing.

Does this mean ive lost compression in no.2 ?
could it just be a lifter or rings? or fuel?

Thanks Steve

 

[addo]

You need to buy a compression tester, I think.

Aside from that, maybe look under the valve cover for a bent pushrod or odd valve spring configuration. Start the motor and verify every lifter is spinning and all rocker arms oiling.

Bummer.

 

[TCSTEVE]

Cool thanks Addo. I shouldn't drive it right?
I need to get to work tomorrow and its belting down over here. Id have to swim to my car to get the cover off

Im really pissed at this car now. Its being a SOB

 

[addo]

Unless it's making audible crunchy noises, I'd use it lightly/gently. Be kind to the car. Even horses get moody at times.

 

[SONNY]

like addo said look for a bent pushrod i have seen this a few times on ford 6's it usualy happens when people rev them when there still abit cold.pull the plug out and put your finger over the plug hole you will soon know if there is a total loss of compression because it will do nothing to your finger.

 

[TCSTEVE]

Well its good now
I think it might of been a stuck lifter.
So next week ill cheek the pushrods and clearances when i change the rocca gasket.
Thanks for the help guys

 

[TCSTEVE]

The motor in my TC is running better but its still not happy. I didn't get around to checking the pushrods and roccas on the weekend i was installing my little bros subwoofa and deck.....fullysic
At idle its was 'lumping' over due to the miss in number 2.
Its still doing it but mostly when its warm and cold nights seem to help.
The compression test figures i got were as follows

1--130 psi
2--80
3--140
4--140
5--130
6--130

Seems good except for number 2.
Its pulls off smooth and its still got great power all the way through just idles like a top fueler shaking the car over and over.
Last week when it first occured it lost power and ran rough. It had a day off now it seems fine just idles rough some of the time
But its smooth as
Anyone got any ideas to throw around?
Cheers Steve

 

[addo]

How did the 80 pound reading "develop"?

Did it jump right up to almost 80 and then stay there, or did it ratchet up in more even steps?

 

[TCSTEVE]

It ratcheted up, yeah in only 3 compressions.
And man is there a difference between 130 and 80 psi. It didnt make a popping noise when i pulled the tester out like the others all did.
So it might of leaked the pressure out before pulling the tester off. It was the rubber ended push in type.

Might it be "off with his head" time, like Hamlet style

Cheers Steve

 

[addo]

To creep like that is a sticky valve, collapsed lifter or other cause of incorrect valve operation. No valve action = no pressure usually.

Look under the rocker cover before any hasty decisions.

 

[TCSTEVE]

Cheers Addo
Man this car doesnt like me. Cant imagine why