Comp check 340

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73Dart340Sport

73Dart340Sport

73dart340
Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Messages
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Location
Colorado
Hello,

I'm curious as to how other 340 owners accomplish compression checks on cylinders #5 and 7. I have the typical headers on my 73 Dart Sport. Needless to say the headers do a great job of making access to #5 and 7 plugs difficult. Pulling the plugs on those two cylinders is a pain in the a$$, especially when the engine is at operating temperature. In addition, my pressure guage and fittings (bought at Sears if that matters) will not fit with the hose attached.

Does anyone have any insight as to how to do this easily? Is there another brand of tester on the market that is more compact?
 
If you just have the type of gauge that you hold in the cylinder by hand (doesn't screw in) that's your problem. You need to get one that has a hose. I have a K-D that works fine getting around the headers. For more room I've found that you don't really need the little extension on it either.

BTW: for pulling the plugs I've found wobble extensions works great. Much better than universal joint types.
 
I actually did a comp test on my 340 last night. LOL.
My tester has the hose like fishy was talking about. I have had it a year or so and believe I bought it at a local parts store.

For taking the plugs out I always break them loose then stick a foot long piece of vaccum hose on the tip to unscrew and replace them.
 
Thanks 340 and Fishy!

I really like the vacuum hose idea. Wish I'd thought of that one. As for the tester, I have the standard (I guess) Sears tester with a hose and an extension/adaptor. What you are saying is don't use the extension, just the hose.

Would you by chance have a part # for your tester that I could reference?
 
I have a gauge with about a foot and 1/2 of hose it fits past the headers no problem.

Also, if you switch to plaugs listed for a magnum motor they have a 5/8" hex and fit past the headers with a socket and extension with no issues either.

I use autolite plugs and the number is 3924 or 5224 for stock heat range and 3923 for one range colder. The 5224 extends the plug a little further into the combustion chamber than the 39xx plugs and is what Autolite lists for magnum motors starting in 97. The thread, reach and the heat ranges are the same as the bigger plug listed for the LA engine.
 
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