I just installed a new piston with rings and head gasket but I still get low compression. I checked the valves for leaks by spraying a puddle of brake cleaner and they didn't leak. What else could I be missing?

 

What kind of compression are you getting ?

 

50psi

 

Could the valve timing be wrong?

Head gasket leaking?

Squirt a little oil in the spark plug hole. If the compression reading goes way up it points to rings.

 

I already installed new gaskets and piston with new rings. If the timing is off will that cause low compression? I already adjusted the valves.

 

Yes.

But I'm talking about about valve timing, not ignition timing. Could your camshaft drive chain be off one or two links relative to the crankshaft?

You can't adjust the ignition timing. It is set mechanically by the woodruff key in the crankshaft to the flywheel, and the position of the pickup coil outside the flywheel.

 

If you have already verified that your cam timing and valves are set correctly (as LynnEdwards has suggested), here are some other considerations ....

Inadequate hone
Honed beyond specs, too much material removed
Cylinder out of round
Crack in cylinder or head
Rings damaged at install (have seen several chinese ring sets manufactured out of spec)
Bad seal at base or head
Synthetic Oil (have actually seen sythetic oil prevent ring seal on a few Chinese models)

Any chance you have access to a leak down tester? It would more accurately narrow down your issue.