Yesterday I checked the cranking compression of the new 292.  The numbers were good.  170 to 175 on all cylinders but one.  The oddball was 165, and the same combustion chamber that has some pitting from junkyard corrosion.  Cam is an  Isky E-4 kind of detuned with 1.43 rockers. 

The only indication of detonation or preignition came during cam breakin.  Engine temp got up to 210 and when I shut of the ignition there was diesel run on.  Plugged up some vacuum leaks and high heat stopped.  Also made sure to never turn off ignition on the heated engine with idle set at 2000.  Gas has been mid grade 89 octane, 6 degrees initial.  250 miles accumulated on build.

Now for the one remaining problem.  Both head gaskets are seaping coolant.  Nothing in oil or chambers which is very good, but there is a small amount coming out the outside edge, leaving a 50 cent size puddle on the floor overnight.  Gaskets are the new design felpro.  New studs in heads torqued/untorqued/retorqed 3 times on assembly.  Deck and heads resurfaced during buildup.  Studs and nuts oiled before assembly.

Talked to a machinist friend and he was very surprised that they leeked.  He said he would put in a can of Stop Leak and it should take care of it.  I think the problem is due to those damn steam holes between the two center cylinders of the C2AE block.  The 113 heads dont have the holes, so coolant may be dribbling down and out at that point. 

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.