Compression test gauge
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 900
Likes: 1
From: Cross Lanes, WV
IDI uses glow plug a couple inches shorter than Powerstroke. but hole size and thread are the same. I know this from experience. When I changed my glowplugs in my 97 Powerstroke, I found one glowplug from an IDI in one cylinder. Turns out the previous owner broke off that one in the head and just screwed the shorter IDI plug in it's place, leaving the broken tip in the head. Caused me a major headache..
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 2
From: Cottonwood, AZ
I bought one of these kits off ebay "General" brand I believe that comes from harbor Frieght. They have a right angle quick connect fitting which will not reach the adapter down in the head.
After looking around I had decided to either get the $160 Mityvac digital kit, or go cheap and just find another kit with a straight fitting instead of an angle fitting. This is what I just ordered:
12 Pc Engine Compression Tester Kit Direct / Indirect Diesel Engines Test Tuner | eBay
It comes with an angle adapter, but the hose has a straight fitting.
The only other concern is rocker arm clearance on some of the holes as I gather from this forum post:
Homemade Compression Adapter - PowerStrokeNation : Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum
Sorry about linking another forum but I don't think info is repeated here.
This guy tells you how to make a homemade adapter with a hose connection which would end up being a lot shorter when actually connected as opposed to the length of the supplied adapter and a quick connect. Hopefully I don't have a clearance problem.
I figure if I got my socket extension down in there to replace plugs, I should be able to squeeze the straight quick connect fitting down in there.
After looking around I had decided to either get the $160 Mityvac digital kit, or go cheap and just find another kit with a straight fitting instead of an angle fitting. This is what I just ordered:
12 Pc Engine Compression Tester Kit Direct / Indirect Diesel Engines Test Tuner | eBay
It comes with an angle adapter, but the hose has a straight fitting.
The only other concern is rocker arm clearance on some of the holes as I gather from this forum post:
Homemade Compression Adapter - PowerStrokeNation : Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum
Sorry about linking another forum but I don't think info is repeated here.
This guy tells you how to make a homemade adapter with a hose connection which would end up being a lot shorter when actually connected as opposed to the length of the supplied adapter and a quick connect. Hopefully I don't have a clearance problem.
I figure if I got my socket extension down in there to replace plugs, I should be able to squeeze the straight quick connect fitting down in there.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 2
From: Cottonwood, AZ
I bought one of these kits off ebay "General" brand I believe that comes from harbor Frieght. They have a right angle quick connect fitting which will not reach the adapter down in the head.
After looking around I had decided to either get the $160 Mityvac digital kit, or go cheap and just find another kit with a straight fitting instead of an angle fitting. This is what I just ordered:
12 Pc Engine Compression Tester Kit Direct / Indirect Diesel Engines Test Tuner | eBay
It comes with an angle adapter, but the hose has a straight fitting.
The only other concern is rocker arm clearance on some of the holes as I gather from this forum post:
Homemade Compression Adapter - PowerStrokeNation : Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum
Sorry about linking another forum but I don't think info is repeated here.
This guy tells you how to make a homemade adapter with a hose connection which would end up being a lot shorter when actually connected as opposed to the length of the supplied adapter and a quick connect. Hopefully I don't have a clearance problem.
I figure if I got my socket extension down in there to replace plugs, I should be able to squeeze the straight quick connect fitting down in there.
After looking around I had decided to either get the $160 Mityvac digital kit, or go cheap and just find another kit with a straight fitting instead of an angle fitting. This is what I just ordered:
12 Pc Engine Compression Tester Kit Direct / Indirect Diesel Engines Test Tuner | eBay
It comes with an angle adapter, but the hose has a straight fitting.
The only other concern is rocker arm clearance on some of the holes as I gather from this forum post:
Homemade Compression Adapter - PowerStrokeNation : Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum
Sorry about linking another forum but I don't think info is repeated here.
This guy tells you how to make a homemade adapter with a hose connection which would end up being a lot shorter when actually connected as opposed to the length of the supplied adapter and a quick connect. Hopefully I don't have a clearance problem.
I figure if I got my socket extension down in there to replace plugs, I should be able to squeeze the straight quick connect fitting down in there.
I ended up making an adapter using:
- a M10x1mm to 1/8" gauge adapter that came in a kit with other such adapters I may be able to use in the future.
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
-a 1/8" grease gun whip
-A 3/8" female compression to 1/2" MPT faucet adapter (this coverted the hose connection on my normal gas/motorcycle engine hose to NPT)
- 1/2" FPT to 1/8" FPT.
Kind of clunky, but in the end I now have the parts to to a compression test on just about anything.
I would recommend just getting the mity-vac adapter for our engines at $16 it saves the BS I went through.
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