3.Slow Cylinder Pressure Low Question

To all,
I have a 94 with 3.0l. I've been having a rough idle last 2 weeks. All vacuum lines are attached, my mechanic ran compression test. All at 150 except #5 at 85. Squirted oil in cylinder and compression up to 170. Looks like rings bad, bummer as it is a rebuilt with 25K on it, Warranty is 12K. What are options, and what would you do?
Thanks,
Sean

 

Sounds like pulling the engine is in your future. As far as options.. the only option is to pull the engine and do a rebuild on it, that's what I would do.

 

Re ring it

 

I'm not a cheap ass, and probably will do a rebuild. BUT, Can you just re-ring one cylinder without full rebuild (in vehicle)?

 

I believe so. Pull the heads and pan. Should be able to get to the rod caps with the pan off and take the piston out the top of the block.

 

Can you get the pan off the bottom? On the old 60's Fords, we could drop the pan, unbolt the rods from the crank and pull the piston out and just do a ring job.

FWIW...re-ring ALL the pistons. I think replace crank bearings too.

 

I'm pretty sure you could loosen the motor mounts, jack the motor/tranny up from the bell housing, may have to remove the steering dampener but that should give you enough room. May be easier to pull the diff tho its not that hard.

Edit
I've pulled the diff a couple times in my 92 pickup with the 3.0. It's pretty straight forward.