Low Compression

[stormdigger]

Hi All
I have a 2005 Aveo, which I purchased knowing it had a blown head gasket, turns out that it overheated and the head warped. I had the head machined from a local performance shop, installed new (std) rings and connecting rod bearings, new timing belt + tensioner water pump etc, all the basic parts. I have everything back together now for the third time and it has very low compression
Cyl Psig
1 80
2 75
3 72
4 75

I have verified the timing marks on the cam gears and as far as I can tell it all lines up correctly. I am now at a loss to explain the total loss in compression. If the cost for a replacement engine was not so high I would have just put a new one in, as it stands now I have an additional 600.00 + into this engine and I would like to get it to work.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[petrified.rabbit]

squirt a lil oil in each cylinder right before screwing on the compression gauge and test it again.

If that doesnt bring it up, post again. (have you had it running at all?)

[stormdigger]

I did try oil and compression did go up a little but not much. I can understand to have one maybe two cylinders with low compression but all 4? I am trying to get my hands on a leak down tester, I hope this will narrow down where the leak is.

[petrified.rabbit]

I am going to ask the basic "are you an idiot" questions

did you do the head bolts in the right order, with new head bolts?
did you put in a head gasket? was it correct? no sealer/coating on it?
Have you run the engine at all?

you have a even reading across the board, so its not likely is a damaged valve, but you replaced the valves correct? did you lap them in or did you just stick them in there?

have you tried starting it? does it run? try another gauge, maybe it just reads low?