I just had a compression check done on
a 1996 5.0 xlt, the result was all between 120 and 130 -

I am trying to determine the actual mileage of this unit

not a mechanic so I don't know what 120 - 130 means,
is this a worn engine or tight?

any help is appreciated - thanks

 

If the compression readings were below "100" or if one cylinder was alot lower than the others, then I'd worry about worn rings or a burned piston. You shouldn't use more than a quart of oil every 3000 miles, so keep an eye on that, too.

 

Ford states a wear limit of 25 percent maximum variation between cylinders, but not an actual number. You are fine. I would put a real oil pressure gauge on it so that you can see how worn your bearings are.

Jim

 

120 to130 sounds good to me . it is not as importeant that the numbers would be low as that all cylenders are within 10% of each other. your numbers sound well within these tolerences.
yes i to would get a real oil pressure reading this will tell you more about bearing wear. something in the vicinity of 30 lbs at 2000 rpm would be considered good and 15 to 20 llbs at idle .

if you have expeience a vacumn gage can also tell alot a bout the engine condition.
whats the difference how many miles are on the bronco as long as it runs good and is reliable. did you just buy the vehichle? are you concerned about maintanence? if so just start your own schedule.

 

thqanks to everyone

what I am attempting to do is purchasea 1996 xlt 5.0
that has 16000 miles on the odometer - it runs real
strong but I am a skeptic on the low miles but the seller
insists that they were original - claims the vehicle was
used only on a military base for short hauls

 

Hi Hoppietoad: I just recently turned 100,000 on my 96XLT and the number one jumped up on the odometer. Could be that the 16,000 on it are for real!!

 

the interior/exterior wear strongly suggests that the unit
has more than 16k miles, brakes are 50-60%, tie
rods worn, sway bar? worn, yet the odometer says 16k.
seller claimed bronco was a government unit but I did
an autocheck and see that it was a fleet/lease rig.
seller got it off an auction and may have been lied to.

my problem is: I bought it off of ebay based on a claim of
16k miles and cherry condition!
the thing is I knew better...