Exhaust valves leaking

[Maverick4g63]

After installing a fresh 6 bolt longblock, I readied my motor for initial startup. I pulled the plugs and fuel pump fuse and spun the motor over with the starter until all the lifters had a steady stream of oil. Upon initial attempts to start the motor I noticed an unusual "loping" trend in the spin over of the starter. A compression test revealed that cylinder #4 has zero compression. A reverse leakdown revealed that the exhaust valves arent sealing. What are my options with this fresh head? Any age old tricks? Or bite the bullet, pull the head, and examine...

 

[LiquidX]

I'd at least take a look to see nothing is interfering with he valve itself. If nothing then you'll most likely need to pull the head to see what the issue is.

 

[Maverick4g63]

I pulled the VC and gave my lifter assemblies a look over. I cant find anything out of the ordinary, so I will mope outside and begin to disassemble the head. Is there any remote glimmer of a possibility that the exhaust lifters for my #4 cylinder are not operating correctly? Perhaps they aren't primed?

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

I pulled the VC and gave my lifter assemblies a look over. I cant find anything out of the ordinary, so I will mope outside and begin to disassemble the head.

Look at the bright side, you don't have to pull the entire engine. Make sure to check everything and to take your time reassembling and timing everything. Then you won't end up doing it again in the near future.