It should be well known that I am half an idiot...
Speaking of really dumb, I still have to discover what really dumb thing is causing the low compression (or, maybe, causing me to think I have low compression).
Remember way back (about two hours ago) when I said these things, well, my idiot percentage is going up above a 50, as I may have discovered what was causing me to think I had bad compression. Is "True Confessions" still a magazine?
I was just out in the garage and decided to try another compression test, but this time with the timing covers off. On kicking, I was surprised to notice that the timing gear train was not turning with every kick!
OH NO! Could all this angst be due to a loose clutch preventing engine turnover and, therefore, yielding bad compression readings. As embarrassing as it is, I hope so. I'll know for sure a little later and let you know.
If I had been devious, this whole thing could have been set up as a game of "Guess the Obscure"' to see if anyone came up with "loose clutch"' but not even I am that devious.
Richard L.