Compression

[travd24v]

What should the compresion be on a 1949 farmall cub

[Crimson Tim]

In a perfect world, or fresh off the showroom floor, 125 psi or so.

In reality, I believe anything over 90 psi isn’t considered too bad.

I think it is more important to have fairly even compression across all cylinders rather than some high and some low.

Do a dry test, then a wet test. That way, if something is low, it will tell you if it’s rings or valves that is the problem.
Also, lots of people have had good luck freeing up stuck rings by soaking in Seafoam for a couple days.

[Drfting1]

Seafoam did wonders for mine... Thought I had to rebuild my first one when I got her... I had 70 to 88 lbs in my cylinders.... After treating (pouring it down spark plug holes, and half turn every day) it while I was restoring, I had 105-110, after running all summer and an oil change, 118-119

[TallCoolOne58]

I had the same results as drifting1, and as an extra added bonus the small amount of oil burning blow-by I was experiencing disappeared, after working it good for a day or so after use, probably due to a sticking or stuck oil control ring.