My name is R.J. and I am new to the board. I just got a couple 1987 230s. I payed $175 for each of them. One someone was messing with and put it together without the timing chain guide. The other would not start . I tried getting pulled behind another wheeler but it would just smoke and pop. I took compression and found about 145 pounds. I also noticed oil in the tailpipe. I did a wet compression and got very little change. I pulled the head and jug off and the sleeve and piston looked good. No scoring of the walls and no stuck rings. I have the head upside down filled with penetrating oil checking for a seepage around the valves. I am unsure of the issue and could use some ideas. Anything common to look for? Not sure what my next step should be. Thanks

 

well you're about at the service limit. 142 - 228psi is the range where it should be. so at 145psi you should be ok. usually the oil seal for the exhaust valve will leak causing the oil in the tail pipe. i have the same peoblem. but you may want to see about getting new valves and seals and maybe a ringset, just to be on the safe side.

ohh and welcome to the forums.

 

When I tore it down I did not check the valve adjustment. I am wondering if one was too tight and not closing all the way. We pulled it with the Magnum and it wanted to start but just popped a little. Smoked like hell too. I will have the sleeve checked and go from there. If I get rings how do I tell if it has been oversized already? Measure the piston or the bore?

 

id measure the bore. would probably be more accurate.