After reinstalling the head I took another set of compression readings. I was hoping to get about 120 psi across all four cylinders. However it was disappointing to see the following results:
Though there is a huge jump of compression pressure in each cylinder between the "before" and "after" figures but cylinder to cylinder variation is exceeding the industry limit of 10%. Here we see that between number one (160psi) and number four (120psi) the difference is far more than 10%
I have been thinking about what to do next and have decided to do nothing and proceed with reassembly of engine, test it and then decide if I need to repeat the job. In anticipation of the worst, I have already got a new replacement head gasket.
Exhaust and inlet manifolds went in today:
Exhaust manifold is in
Inlet manifold is in too
I have to say that this is not the best design. Both manifold bolts are impossible to get at without the spanner provided in the tool kit of this car. Conventional tools to not fit due to impossible locations of the flange bolts. If the inlet manifold is fitted first, then the exhaust manifold bolts are inaccessible and if the exhaust manifold is fitted first then the inlet manifold bolts are inaccessible. Anyhow, with much use of four letter words, I managed it in 3 hours.