78 invader no compression

[invader 440]

Hi guys. i have a 78 invader 440 that had a bad head gasket so i replaced it. now it doesnt have very much compression but before it had amazing compression. any ideas? I am about ready to tear my hair out!

[jimvw57]

Chances are the cylinder studs have been stretched. try adding a couple of washers under the chrome acorn nuts on the heads. When the studs stretch, the acorn nuts bottom out and don't tighten the head all the way down.

[Checkmarks]

How much compression?  With the gauge what did you measure?  Everything else is just cheap talk.

Was the head gasket bad or is the head warped?  How did this sled come to you?

I always assume people use a torque wrench set correctly.

The bolts can stretch like Jim mentioned.  Two solutions cut the bolt a little or add some extra hard washers.  Use the torque wrench grasshopper.  After the motor has warmed up through a full heat cycle or two, use the torque wrench again.  I took the liberty to check your profile.  If you need better explanation please ask. 

[kawhead]

could have scored a piston from water leaking gasket,pull exaust y and look at piston thru port.[remove spark plugs]

[invader 440]

I finally was able to go down and take a look at it. I checked the compression again and it was acually good. the real problem is if when I turn it over it stops as soon as i would stop turning it over. Its like something is holding it back in the bottom end.

[mswyka]

Is the clutch on the end of the shaft?  Can you turn it by hand?  Does it spin reasonably free with the plugs out?

[Trucker]

Did you make sure the shim was put back in the correct spot

[invader 440]

The shim was put in right. i will try to diagnose it as soon as i have a chanch to look at it

[jimvw57]

by chance did you put the wrong bolts on the flywheel for the recoil mechanism? if the bolts are too long, they can ht the coils underneath (??)

Maybe a lock washer is stuck to the flywheel magnets. Happened to me once.