I recently looked at the trooper again. I took it all apart and changed out the head gasket(from isuzu) and I've got the same problem. here is what I have so far.

"used" head tested good and milled.
valve job done on head.
"mechanical" is timing correct.
new timing belt.
valves adjusted correctly
new head gasket installed (from isuzu) twice
all new oil seals (cam, crank, and oil pump)

When the trooper was pulled off the road for repairs I was running 100% anti-freeze in engine. The trooper sat through one winter before the repair was started.

I am hearing a pronounced pop coming from the engine when I am turning the engine over to check the compression. If I unscrew the compresssion guage and let the engine just "spin" I don't hear any poping noise.

What would be causing this poping sound??? I think it is related to the low compression readings.

What are the synptoms of a cracked block?????

Thanks,

Mike