ClassicCar

[object]I recently aquired a 1948 Dodge B-1-B Pilothouse in very good cosmetic condition. It has only one small dent, and very little rust. The odometer shows about 53,000 miles. I traded a straight, clean, 1972, 1 ton, crew cab Ford, with a puffed motor, that I paid $250 for, even up. I think personally that it was the deal of the century. It's been sitting for 15 or more years. Before I even tried to start it, I replaced the points, condenser, rotor,cap, coil, plugs, and plug wires. When I tried to start it, it acted like it wanted to start so bad, but wouldn't. I know flatheads are famous for sticky valves, so I decided to do a compression test. Pressures are as follows- #1=45, #2=35, #3=40, #4=35, #5=40, and #6=50. According to the block numbers this is a 218 c.i. engine. These pressures seem pretty low to me. I know this is not a high compression engine, but although I am 55 years old and have done a fair amount of wrenching in my life, this is the first flathead I ever compression tested. I squirted a little Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder and turned it over a few times in hopes of lubing a sticky valve. I will test it again in a day or so, but would like to know what the pressures should be. Any knowledge would be appreciated.