Well, i performed a compression test and a leak down test yesterday gain to reasssure that what I was seeing on Sunday was correct.

Cyl compression at 175 within 10 % of the rest. GOOD.

Leak down test at TDC is 20% at 15deg before TDC 1% same as cylinder number 2. Which is weird, but I have hi hopes that the piston is OK.

A few months ago, when I took the head apart and replaced the valve stem seals i checked the stem play inside the guides but did not notice anything different on cyl #8 than on 5 6 7. This test was very un-professionaly performed and I assumed the guides were fine. The cylinder looked good and no grove was noticed at TDC or walls. The cylinders looked good to plain eyesight.

The car runs great ather than smokes after it reached operating temp. and fouls #8 plug, I installed a anti foul extension on it to keep it firing.

Question I do have, is it normal to have less leakdown at 15deg than at TDC
it happend on both cylinders 2 and 8 when I tested and retested to confirm my findings.

At this point I am suspecting a worn out valve guide on Cyl # 8. Any opinions.

I will install the new/rebuilt head but I wanted to try and dismiss the possibility of a bad piston or cylinder before re doing the 1/2 ass work I had already performed. What do you guys think.

I do have a rebuilt head that I purchased from a garage that was closing out about a month ago, they had a 380 sel with a just rebuilt head that never was fired up. Repairs were never finished. Lucky me. with it I got a distributor, an intake plenum, a fuel distributor all 8 injectors, a new water pump, a camshaft, black valve covers and a few misc.

Anyone needs 380 parts, I may have extra after I'm done. The donating car has gone to the recycler.

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Thanks, Juan