Iron Barrel Leak Down Tester

[Larry S]

1/8" Aluminum flat stock
Intake gasket to use for pattern
Auto tubeless tire valve
Auto freeze plug
Low pressure air gauge
Old fouled spark plug
Female plug from air line coupler and plug

Using the gasket for a pattern, cut a piece of aluminum to cover the intake. Drill it to accept the tire valve.

Bust out all the porcelain from the spark plug. (It's not easy to do.) Porcelain is tough stuff. Weld the air line plug into the spark plug base. If you don't have access to a welder, you can use J B Weld. If you use J B Weld you must tighten your adapter with a plug wrench, then put the gauge in the adapter.

Use the freeze plug to plug the exhaust.

Pressurize with bicycle pump.

[matt glascock]

...Another great rendition.

[dirty_rat]

My set-up is very similar, but instead of using a bike pump, I use the small hand squeeze bulb from a blood pressure cuff to pump up the pressure. Makes it easy to pump up and watch the readings.

[dirty_rat]

Forgot to mention. I also remove the valve stem when doing this. I also attach a vacuum pump and pull a vacuum on the engine to -6 lbs. of pressure to insure the engine isn't also sucking in at a seal.

[TheBevman]

Dirty-rat, I use a blood pressure cuff bulb too. Here I was thinking I was smart. Proof positive that all the good ideas have been done before

Larry, brilliant idea in using the spark plug to mount the pressure gauge too.

Bev