I've got two questions

1. How quickly should your compression build up?
2. How long should I hold the key for?

I was doing a compression test on my 84 yesterday.
And I got around 120psi after about a 5 count on #1, 2, & 3.but number 4 could only manage 110 in the same amount of time, although if I held it longer it would get up to about 125.

12&3 also had about 90psi after the first stroke but 4 only had between 60-80.

the reason I was doing the test was to see if I needed just valve seals or a complete head job or whatever, Cause she smokes and runs a lil rough.
That was the first compression test I had ever done so naturally I was wondering if I did it right

 

Did you do a wet and a dry test? Dry is with all spark plugs removed, of course. Wet is the same scenario, but adding a little oil to the inside if the cylinder to help seal the piston rings (to let you know if its broken rings possibly).

Your results sound pretty normal, I wouldn't sweat the #4 being a little slow to react. Yet. You may do the test and start with #4 first. Won't hurt anything. Make sure the o-ring on the tester is in good shape, with a little grease on it to help seal/lube it. Proper, thorough cleaning around the plugs BEFORE they are removed is helpful to eliminate crud that could rip the o-ring on the tester, or prevent a good seal there.

I'm in South Fla for work, if you need help, let me know.

 

I did dry, but only had one plug out at time(grounded the coil though). Would that have made a difference.?
Thanks for the help offer, but I'm probably not going to start working on it till next weekend at the earliest. I think I'm getting drug to brooksville this weekend. So the most ill do the weekend is probably take the vavle cover off and check out my timing chains shape.maybe see if I can find out if it needs a new timing chain cover (the one that's on it has been epoxy bombed and leaks like a siv)

 

Yes, a compression test requires all plugs removed.