Just got my first slant six

The car has just over 100,000 miles and I believe that is accurate for the engine too. The oil was 20w50 with a new looking Long filter from last June. I don’t know how old the plugs are. The distributor and wires look like they’re not very old. The engine starts easily and runs smoothly at idle and on the freeway.

I did the compression with a screw in gauge. I had all plugs out and the carb wide open. The battery was fully charged. I don’t remember if it was at operating temp or not. Probably not. I did not have the choke open. Don’t know how. I cranked exactly seven cycles per cylinder test for consistency starting at the front and working my way back. I got readings of 70,80,75,75,75,80.

Today I flushed (additive) the engine for 30 minutes at idle and then changed the oil (10w30) and filter (short). I changed the plugs too and gapped them all at 35. I tried to remove the old brittle Pcv but it broke and parts fell inside the valve cover. The valve cover gasket was leaky so I ordered another one now that I have to pop it off and dig out the Pcv parts anyway. I removed the valve cover. It has layers of flaky burnt grunge layered inside it. The valve train appears pretty clean though in comparison. I still can’t pry the air cleaner off the rear grommet of the valve cover. The grommets are rock hard and need to be replaced.

The motor mounts and tranny mounts are on order too since they’re shot. I can do whatever needs to be done when replacing those mounts.

However I’m trying not to sink a ton of money in this one and I’d like to flip it so a rebuild is not in my wish list.