Custom/Hybrid how do you test for bottom end leaks?

Location
Alabama
there is a thread around here discussing that. the way I do it is, remove the carb and make a solid gasket that will block off the intake. I make it out of rubber gasket material you can get at a hardware store. now re-install the carb. now do the same on the exhaust. now block off the pulse line from the intake manifold to the card with a plugged hose. then I made tool out of a spark plug. I broke out the center ceramics and jb welded a cheap dial tire guage in the top with the tire valve part removed. then I drilled a hole in the side of the tire guage tube and jb welded a tire nipple into it with the rubber removed. now you have a hollow spark plug with a guage in the top and a tire nipple in the side. remove a spark plug and make sure that piston is at the bottom. insert your homemade spark plug and you are ready. the rule I had heard was you want the motor to hold seven pounds for seven minutes. but I would just stay below ten pounds. put some air into the motor using the nipple and watch the guage. if you are holding air, use some spray soapy water (like window cleaner) and start checking for leaks. check your homemade stuff first.. if you see no leaks, then move on to the intake and exhaust between your gaskets and the motor. then you can check the crankase for leaks. some people were concerned that putting air into the motor this way might damage the reeds. I have never had a problem, but if you were concerned with that, just put the air in a little at a time to allow the pressure to leak past the reeds. hope this helps.
 

550/440

Maybe I'll get it all the way around NEXT time....
Location
Arizona!
You can also use the pulse line as the input for the air pressure - just get one of the barbed inserts for the pump, and insert it into the hose.
 
I have a leak down tester and all the "gasket" things made up professionaly..
if you promise to return it, il mail you it.
no use in buying one if your only using it once.
 

DAG

Yes, my balls tickled from that landing
Location
Charlotte, NC
yeah 100x easier using the pulse line instead of hacking up a spark plug. I use a old tube from like a bike tire to make my exhaust and intake gaskets. You cut to ruff size, hole punch for the bolts and bolt the intake/exhaust mani's back on overtop the tire/gasket and your good to start pumping 10psi max.
 

motoman96

Banned
Location
Lodi Cali
yeah 100x easier using the pulse line instead of hacking up a spark plug. I use a old tube from like a bike tire to make my exhaust and intake gaskets. You cut to ruff size, hole punch for the bolts and bolt the intake/exhaust mani's back on overtop the tire/gasket and your good to start pumping 10psi max.

Or pull the schrader valve from a compression tester and put your hose to that. No point in hacking up a spark plug an wasting a bunch of time. Takes a few seconds to unscrew a schrader valve.

The rule of thumb is no more then 1 psi drop per 60 seconds and no more then 8-10psi of pressure.
 
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Christian_83

Xscream
Location
Denmark
Or buy a pop off gauge pump, that way you will have "tools in one" For testing popoffe pressure in carbs and pressure testing your engine. The pump will attach to your pulse line
 
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