can you do a compression check on an engine before you install it? just want to do this rebuils once and not have a bunch of pulling it back out issues...

 

you could get it mounted to a dyno and run it that way.
otherwise, a leakdown test is the best you can do without much problem.

 

I just ran a compression check on my engine. Granted it's mounted on the frame, but there is nothing else hooked up to it. You'd need to mount the transmission and starter on the engine, then wire up the starter to turn the engine over for the test. The only thing this will do is let you know you have compression, and maybe check to make sure it is consistent between cylinders. It is recommended that the compression check be done on a warm engine, which is obviously impossible without installing it.

 

kinda what i thought, dam......