HELP! Having problem with timing or compression!!

[Hammer_Gaidin]

Ok heres the problem:
I have a 93 awd, changed the head. Get everything assembled timed and I only get 20-30psi of comp.
Here's what i know:
The Head isn't leaking, Valves are all good and deck/head surface is fine.
The Pistons are going up and down
The timing meets up according to tdc, and timing marks.
HELP !!
I have no idea what's going on!

 

[92redman]

Is the compression gauge known to be good? Have you tried it on another engine lately?

 

[Hammer_Gaidin]

Yup gauge is good. Tried it on another of my dsms.

 

[eclipse08]

It may be the piston rings not sealing correctly. DId you replace the pistons/rods or just put the head on and hoped for the best. If your timing is all lined up and the valves/seals are all good than thats the only thing I can think of.

 

[Big Woo]

Have you run the car since replacing the head, does it run, or have you tried to start it?

Are you sure all of the timing marks are lined up correctly? I.E. Crankshaft mark aligned with pointer, oil pump mark aligned with pointer & balance shaft phased correctly, cam gear marks aligned toward each other & parallel with the valve cover surface of the head, and the cam dowel pins at the 12 o-clock position.

If all of this is correct then suspect one or more of the following.
1: bad compression gauge
2: something went wrong when setting cam timing and valves were bent.
3: piston, piston ring, or cylinder wall problem on all cylinders.
4: head gasket problem or did not seal.

 

[Hammer_Gaidin]

Well I think I found the problem, I believe that the head that I was swapping on was warped. Cause I got a different head, and am not having the problem anymore. Thx for all the help guys!

 

[eclipse08]

Glad to hear that it was just the cylinder head not sealing, instead of you bottom end being bad. Just make sure that your new cylinder head gasket is torqued on there well and tightened in the right sequence.