So it is beyond "slightly dead" and has progressed to "mostly dead?" (This is a Princess Bride reference for anyone else who grew up in the 80s).

I once had a daily driver slant that wheezed along for years with compression in all cylinders between 95 and 105. If you don't have the resources for lots of machine work, I say (1) see if the low compression is just a couple bad valves (2) if it is, source a decent used head (3) if it isn't, source a decent used motor or plop the head back on and run it until it is "completely dead."

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Ok, we're still in "Hope Mode" here, because I haven't done the Oil in sparkplug hole test yet. But, curious as to thoughts on "Remanufactured Heads", namely those from Moore's Engine.

Thoughts on these guys? Anyone have any experience? I figure if I can get a 1972 head, I'll actually get an upgrade in the deal with the revised combustion chambers.

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63 Plymouth Valiant V200 Convertible.
225, HEI, Super Six with 38/38 Weber, Electric Fans, Scarebird discs, FirmFeel front swaybar.

Wouldn't bad rings get dirty oil fast? I'd think the blowby would dirty it up reasonably fast, even if it's just one bad cylinder.

When you did the lash, did you verify that the rockers all moved 'bout the same? Just want to verify no dead lobes.

Did as many members suggested and took compression, then put about a tablespoon of oil in the sparkplug holes and rechecked.

No discernible difference. Good signal that this is a head problem? Or is there something else I can do to check for Cylinder issues?

I'd like to know because I'm already looking into a used engine, but I'd like to NOT go that route if possible.

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63 Plymouth Valiant V200 Convertible.
225, HEI, Super Six with 38/38 Weber, Electric Fans, Scarebird discs, FirmFeel front swaybar.

Could this just be a head gasket?

I am looking at the fact that the engine was rebuilt less than 30,000 miles ago. Probably more like 15,000. Potential damage would have come from the intense heat of a closed heat riser valve.

I like the idea of "upgrading" the head to a 72-73 head anyway, with the better combustion chambers.

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63 Plymouth Valiant V200 Convertible.
225, HEI, Super Six with 38/38 Weber, Electric Fans, Scarebird discs, FirmFeel front swaybar.

I believe you have a head and/or head gasket problem since (a) you say the motor was rebuilt fairly recently and (b) adding oil didn't change compression. Pull the head and look closely at the chambers with low compression.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Potentially, but probably not. Not if you haven't found wild overheating/overboiling symptoms (combustion gas getting into coolant), water in the oil, or oil in the water.
No, it wouldn't have.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Ok, so I rechecked with the Oil test and turns out my bad, I was using a Oil Additive (Rislone Compression Helper) as opposed to oil.

Once I put in oil, compression went:

#1 90 -> 120
#3 30 -> 50
#6 105 ->125

I stopped once I realized this thing was not looking good. Somebody give me a reason why I won't be putting in a new engine.

I can't see one myself.

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63 Plymouth Valiant V200 Convertible.
225, HEI, Super Six with 38/38 Weber, Electric Fans, Scarebird discs, FirmFeel front swaybar.

Err, 'cuz you decided to rebuild the one you have?

Sorry man, it don't sound good. About the only thing I can think of is two-fold:

1. Find someone close by, who can validate your results. A slant member, or even just a good trusted mechanic. It sounds like you are doing the testing right now; but, it can't hurt to have a second diagnosis.

2. Depending upon how much time you have to kill, you could pull the head first. Look at the valve seats, and the crosshatch pattern on the cylinders. If the crosshatch looks bad--then keep going...

But I'm going to guess that swapping motors at this stage is probably fastest, cheapest and easiest solution.

Try a leakdown test.

You can listen for where the air is escaping. (when the compressor isn't running)

(or at least pressurize the cylinders and listen)

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Well, gee…Here is a 1963 slant-6 engine with just 17k miles on it about to go begging.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks Dan, but saw it. The problem? Maryland. I'm in California, so the distance is a little extreme.

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63 Plymouth Valiant V200 Convertible.
225, HEI, Super Six with 38/38 Weber, Electric Fans, Scarebird discs, FirmFeel front swaybar.