Raising compression so to say

[jmortensen]

Yeah, a really nice burette like that kit has will be much more accurate, but it expensive. Find a store that sells medical and science supplies and get a graduated cylinder. You should be able to find a nice tall one that will be reasonably accurate, then you just test multiple times to verify your numbers.

I want to say I paid $20 for my graduated cylinder, and I used a piece of Lexan from Home Depot which I stuck to the head with a thin layer of white grease around the chamber.

[Dtsnlvrs]

don't forget, this mod only works if you have a flat top pistoned car. I actually have an N42 head on a flat-top block, and I will blow my headgasket (on 93 octane) if I floor the throttle in 4th or 5th gear. (its like a blow-your-headgasket button) I would recommend staying just under 10:1, unless it is a full race car.

I had a 72 with the same setup, and I would blow headgaskets as well. I cured the problem by using the OE Turbo Head Gasket. Or you can go with the HKS. As far as Rings go...Use the stock OE Nissan Rings, They will hold up just fine.

[Ed]

I'm running a F54/N42 combo. The heads cc'd at 45cc IIRC, did some mild porting myself with a dremmel (see my gallery). My compression is currently at 9.65:1, That is with two felpro head gaskets and a head saver shim also from felpro. No cam tower shims. I did use ARP head studs instead of the OEM head bolts. Not sure if it helps but I haven't had any problems. I am also using stock rings. She runs fine on 91 octane. I haven't really opened her up yet. I've only got about 300 miles since the rebuild.

[=Enigma=]

Summit sells a low cost burette kit by Competition Cams that has 1cc increments.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CCA%2D4975&N=115&autoview=sku

[78 280zcar]

I'm running a F54/N42 combo. The heads cc'd at 45cc IIRC, did some mild porting myself with a dremmel (see my gallery). My compression is currently at 9.65:1, That is with two felpro head gaskets and a head saver shim also from felpro. No cam tower shims. I did use ARP head studs instead of the OEM head bolts. Not sure if it helps but I haven't had any problems. I am also using stock rings. She runs fine on 91 octane. I haven't really opened her up yet. I've only got about 300 miles since the rebuild.

That is a wild setup you got there ED, how did you go about putting two head gaskets on there, did you use sealant on the head saver shim on both sides to seal? That sounds like a good idea, you think it will work with stock head bolts?

That kit from summit seams a little more reasonable in price I think I will get one of them there beakers and cc me head!

[jmortensen]

Summit sells a low cost burette kit by Competition Cams that has 1cc increments.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CCA%2D4975&N=115&autoview=sku

That's a good choice. It is a graduated cylinder, not a burette or a beaker though. A burette has a valve down at the bottom, and with this you'll have to tip the thing to get the liquid out. A beaker isn't graduated.

Might still find it cheaper/taller at a science supply place.

[Ed]

That is a wild setup you got there ED, how did you go about putting two head gaskets on there, did you use sealant on the head saver shim on both sides to seal? That sounds like a good idea, you think it will work with stock head bolts?

That kit from summit seams a little more reasonable in price I think I will get one of them there beakers and cc me head!

No, no sealant. The shim is in between the two gaskets, getting them alligned was a little tricky. I also torqued the head bolts to 60lbs. I don't know if this would work with the stock bolts. Before you make up your mind on what to do with gaskets, cc the head measure your piston cc's. Figure out exactly what compression you are looking at. Then decide on a head gasket. Different brands of head gaskets will alter that compression. Someone suggested to me a head gasket at NAPA that is a little thicker then the felpro one. But if I ever do blow a gasket I will probably spend the money and get a HKS 2mm gasket.