Compression test results

[James Davis]

Hello everyone, new here and new to I/O boats.

I have a 1987 Bayliner Capri with an OMC Cobra 2.3l Ford. I know, this is a terrible engine already lol. The engine turns over well but can't get it to start at all. I've done a few things to it so far but not much, new 50A fuses, new battery, new core plugs, checked the distributor cap - brand new. Rotor looks clean, in fact everything looks clean and new. The previous owner was an auto mechanic, honestly the engine looks near brand new given the age!

I did a compression test today and the results were:
Cylinder 1 - 0 - checked 7 or 8 times, I thought my compression gauge was broken until I hit #3 and got a reading.
Cylinder 2 - 0
Cylinder 3 - 150
Cylinder 4 - 150

Where do I go from here? I'm a complete DIY'er whenever possible.

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any help you can give!

 

[Scott Danforth]

You may have stuck valves, rusty valves, bliwn head gasket or a cracked block or head

Either way, you are pulling the head.

If the valves are rusty, your exhaust manifold may be shot

 

[James Davis]

That's what I thought, thank you!

 

[Lou C]

Keep in mind that while marine parts for this engine are scarce they were used in thousands of smaller Ford vehicles so parts like blocks and cylinder heads should not be that hard to find...
agree with Scott you probable have stuck/rusted exhaust valves or a blown HG between the 2 cyls reading zero.

 

[Scott Danforth]

agreed that you can get a block for the pinto motor out of a late 80's ford ranger.

wait until you price an exhaust manifold......for the price of an exhaust manifold for an OMG 2.3 you can buy manifolds and elbows for a big block

However the key to the whole thing is buried in post #1

I've done a few things to it so far but not much....., new core plugs,

so why did you have to install new core plugs?

there is only one good reason to ever need new core plugs and that reason is you rebuilt the tired motor and knocked out the old core plugs prior to machining.

the only other reason to ever need new core plugs on a marine motor is a bad reason..... because the motor was not properly winterized and the block cracked.

 

[James Davis]

When I got the boat a core plug was missing so I replaced all of them.

I've been looking for Ford Rangers today in our U-Pull-It yards in Nebraska just so I have that in the back of my mind, found 4 Rangers in the 86-89 years. I'll start pulling the head today and see what I find, never done it before but it should be a good learning experience, this is definitely a project boat for me! I bought it for a few hundred bucks about 3 weeks ago to keep myself busy, if it turns into too much of a headache or money pit I figured I could scrap the boat for parts and sell the trailer and just save up and buy something water ready. I was hopeful for a diamond in the rough with a few tweaks and parts replaced I could be out on the water before the summer is over, not looking like that's going to happen now but I'm patient enough to wait for next year.

 

[Scott Danforth]

pretty sure you will find the block and possibly the head are cracked.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,......... I'll give ya an A+, for attitude,......