Compression Issue

[megaswoltz]

I have my 2004 5.7 (which JUST turned 100k when it all went downhill) torn down to the short block; I'm replacing camshaft, lifters, pushrods, etc. I had low compression on the passenger side on three cylinders; 110, 125, 115 on 2, 4, and 6. I had no indication that I had a bad head gasket, my lifters had not turned and the cam looked good. My question is, which is probably a stupid one, should I just take it out and replace the rings/ bearings while I'm this far in? My fear is, I'm going to get the cam/ lifters in it, torque those heads down and still have the same problem. This is my first Hemi, so any advice from personal experience is appreciated. I just don't know if the rings are prone to having issues on a 5.7, or not.

 

[megaswoltz]

And whoops! Didn't mean to put this in the wrong forum area!

 

[Wild one]

I have my 2004 5.7 (which JUST turned 100k when it all went downhill) torn down to the short block; I'm replacing camshaft, lifters, pushrods, etc. I had low compression on the passenger side on three cylinders; 110, 125, 115 on 2, 4, and 6. I had no indication that I had a bad head gasket, my lifters had not turned and the cam looked good. My question is, which is probably a stupid one, should I just take it out and replace the rings/ bearings while I'm this far in? My fear is, I'm going to get the cam/ lifters in it, torque those heads down and still have the same problem. This is my first Hemi, so any advice from personal experience is appreciated. I just don't know if the rings are prone to having issues on a 5.7, or not.

Get some good pics of the cylinder walls,but normally at only a 100K the hemi's bottom end is usually still good,but that doesn't mean it couldn't have taken a ring out.None of the pistons are broke are they,if the rings get hot enough,they'll butt ends and have been known to break the top ringland,which quite often will also break the top of the piston.The early hemi's are also famous for dropping valve seats,make sure they all look good

 

[megaswoltz]

I didn't see anything wrong with the pistons, but I'll do a more thorough inspection on them. And I didn't know that about the valve seats. I already plan on lapping them, so I'll check them out when I do. Thanks for the information!