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compression PSI for 361 ??

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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 01:04 PM
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Question compression PSI for 361 ??

Ford 1975 361 Compression??? acceptable range? .. psi from___ to ___. Can't seem to find any numbers for the psi...can only find the compression ratios. Anybody know?? Engine is in F600 but don't think that really matters.

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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 05:30 PM
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i looked and couldn't find any PSI readings either in my books all i kept finding was compression 7.2 to 1.....169 hp@3600 and 290 tq@2400 and 35-70 PSI oil pressure
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 06:51 PM
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Totally from the hip here
145 and up would be good
125 and down, I would think is low
My dad always said its not so much the number, but more importantly are they all similar. Meaning there isn't one or two considerably lower. Say 6 or7 cylinders are in the 130-145 range and the other 1 or 2 n the 100 or lower range. = problems.

Does it burn any oil?
Weak on power?
Usually a good idea to check pressure when new and strong so you compare for later.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 07:28 PM
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Post up the figures you get please.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Xauterus
Post up the figures you get please.

which ones? the actual comp reading for my engine...or what the figures should be for any given 361?
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Drac
Totally from the hip here
145 and up would be good
125 and down, I would think is low
My dad always said its not so much the number, but more importantly are they all similar. Meaning there isn't one or two considerably lower. Say 6 or7 cylinders are in the 130-145 range and the other 1 or 2 n the 100 or lower range. = problems.

Does it burn any oil?
Weak on power?
Usually a good idea to check pressure when new and strong so you compare for later.
Compression ratio for this engine is 7.2. Being a truck engine i'm not expecting the "when NEW" compression psi figures to be as high as car engine. this is a 38 year old used vehicle.. so just trying to establish current baseline and establish current "health" of engine. figures run: 4@125, 110, 117, 115 105. Have not done valve adjust yet.. so that may make a difference.. engine runs fine.. have not put many miles on it yet so no idea about oil consumption.. but don't see any smoke. at this point just sorting out this 'new to me vehicle" and making sure it is roadworthy.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by smokenchoken
i looked and couldn't find any PSI readings either in my books all i kept finding was compression 7.2 to 1.....169 hp@3600 and 290 tq@2400 and 35-70 PSI oil pressure
Thanks for the figures.. I come up with 7.2 compression ratio too, this 361 has a 4 barrel holley.. think most had a 2 barrel?? so hp and torque figures may be slightly different?? don't know. The compression psi figures seem to be elusive....for some reason
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 1975-F6004x4Dump
Compression ratio for this engine is 7.2. Being a truck engine i'm not expecting the "when NEW" compression psi figures to be as high as car engine. this is a 38 year old used vehicle.. so just trying to establish current baseline and establish current "health" of engine. figures run: 4@125, 110, 117, 115 105. Have not done valve adjust yet.. so that may make a difference.. engine runs fine.. have not put many miles on it yet so no idea about oil consumption.. but don't see any smoke. at this point just sorting out this 'new to me vehicle" and making sure it is roadworthy.
Being 7.2:1, I guess the 110-125 may be in order. The 145 I'm thinking is more in the 8.5-9.5 cr.
I don't think you'll gain by adjusting valves. A looser valve train will surely allow the valve to seat. If the valve train was too tight I could see loosing pressure. But they don't wear tighter.
I know I'm not much help here for ya, as you're looking for actual expected numbers. And I'm just speaking in generalizations.

Something going on with the 105 cylinder seems out of line. Maybe a valve. Not like it would ever leave you stranded. Not sure if I'd do anything about it. Does it have a lot of miles on it?
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Drac
Being 7.2:1, I guess the 110-125 may be in order. The 145 I'm thinking is more in the 8.5-9.5 cr.
I don't think you'll gain by adjusting valves. A looser valve train will surely allow the valve to seat. If the valve train was too tight I could see loosing pressure. But they don't wear tighter.
I know I'm not much help here for ya, as you're looking for actual expected numbers. And I'm just speaking in generalizations.

Something going on with the 105 cylinder seems out of line. Maybe a valve. Not like it would ever leave you stranded. Not sure if I'd do anything about it. Does it have a lot of miles on it?

Car-nut motorhead friend says that psi compression test reading can be affected by valve adjustment as test measures closed overlap of psi when both valves are closed. Yep... looking for actual numbers..like psi when new or rebuilt-stock? don't know how many miles on the engine. an inquiring mind has been my curse..especially when it comes to numbers...not sure why a new/rebuilt psi number is so elusive. One would think that I would have better things to do than search after such things.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 09:48 PM
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Yeah I get it. Hunting down something that's not really going to matter. I too have the "Love those ford trucks" curse.
I like your truck. I have a 65 N-700 with a 331. If it ran at all I'd check the compression just to compare for you. It was my grandpa's truck and it hasn't ran it 15 years.

Be sure to post this in the FE / FT Engine forum. Someone on here knows
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Drac
Yeah I get it. Hunting down something that's not really going to matter. I too have the "Love those ford trucks" curse.
I like your truck. I have a 65 N-700 with a 331. If it ran at all I'd check the compression just to compare for you. It was my grandpa's truck and it hasn't ran it 15 years.

Be sure to post this in the FE / FT Engine forum. Someone on here knows
Appreciate the offer.. think an answer will be coming soon. I like the 70's trucks.. old enough to be interesting and new enough to be reliable.
What I find curious is that the used engine places reference compression test as well as the rebuild folks..maybe I'll just contact the folks that are offering a rebuilt FT-361 and ask what the compression is.. I'll look all day for a $2 tool i misplaced.. not saying it is logical. Actually would like to know.. kinda like blood pressure.. what is good? whats not? what it IS doesn't mean as much if you don't know what its supposed to be...If anybody has rebuilt a FT361 and knows the psi.. please share the info.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2014 | 10:38 PM
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Per '76 service manual
 
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Old Feb 9, 2014 | 12:18 AM
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IIRC your 361 should have only been available with a 2bbl but i may be wrong.... but are you 100% certain its not a 391? same way to test as a 360 vs 390, 3.5" is a 360/361 and 3.78" is 390/391.....
 
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Old Feb 9, 2014 | 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted by smokenchoken
IIRC your 361 should have only been available with a 2bbl but i may be wrong.... but are you 100% certain its not a 391? same way to test as a 360 vs 390, 3.5" is a 360/361 and 3.78" is 390/391.....
Measured stroke myself...3.5"..it is a 361. My factory ford parts manual shows the 361 available with 2v or 4v..I questioned that also...but.. NumberDummy says 361 came with both 2 and 4V.. him I don't question.. but you go head.... and let me know how that works out.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2014 | 01:44 AM
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Originally Posted by czaroc
Per '76 service manual

Yep..not seeing any psi figures..they can't hide forever. Or even the 7.2 comp ratio. always thought that 10-15% max was allowed spread high to low.. bit surprised to see 25%.. thats a bunch.. like 30#
 
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