1988 Johnson 88 compression question, also could use some specs

[rrw]

Hi, I recently checked my compression with the motor warm. Two left cylinders were 120, upper right 115, lower right 90. I did a decarb with seafoam, didn't really change. The motor runs ok once its warm, but runs really bad the first five minutes, especially at idle. Also when cranking the starter kicks out after a few spins, especially cold, I saw a post by Joe reeves the other day saying its common with uneven compression, is being 30 psi off enough to do that? I ordered a new head gasket, hoping that's the issue, if not I should at least be able to see scoring or something.
Does anyone know the torque specs for the head bolts?
Does anyone know the timing spec? I'm gonna use Joe Reeves method, so I will subtract 4 from the actual spec.

Thanks!

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1988 Johnson 88 compression question, also could use some specs

Good idea to pull the head. Your compression on #3 is a problem, so best to have a look at it. With luck it's just a bad seal ring on the head gasket.... If you've got something going on inside that low compression cyl, you should see something with the head off. It's ok to recheck the timing, but unless youv'e got some reason to re-time the engine, I'd leave it at the factory setting. The head bolt torque is 18-20 ft lbs.

 

[rrw]

Re: 1988 Johnson 88 compression question, also could use some specs

Thanks for the response. I'll let you know what I find. I guess I would just like the peace of mind of checking the timing , if its really close, which I suspect it will be ill leave it alone.