Twin Cam woes (no compression)

[originalsin]

ok well i bought this car for 500bucks, it dident run, due to a bad starter and what owner told me was a bad headgasket, so i replaced the started and it turns over fine, and its getting fuel, getting spark, could use new plugs but is getting spark, but it seems like im getting no compression, when i crank it over there is no noticable sound of compression ocurring coming from the exhuast, hard to describe but ull prolly know what i mean, i can hear a slight amount of compression if i crank it for 5-8 seconds but then just nothing. so my car wont even start. now does this seem like a bad headgasket? im really hoping its not rings or valve seals, ncuz i dont have the money for that and just need this motor to last a few months while i get money and rebuild my CA18DET. im draining oil tomarrow to check for signs of coolant. but what im thinking is wouldent i get compression out of other cylinders if it was valves or rings?? because i doubt 2 or more would go at once, this is why im hoping the the headgasket, but i figured id ask around to try n get more info

[TheOne]

do a compression check, go to autozone or other auto stores that sell those gauges......those are cheap as far as i know.

[originalsin]

ttt

[eddiec]

sometimes they rent those for a few bux. a rather crude way is to pull the spark plug and cover the hole with your hand. have some one crank it while you form a seal with your cupped hand. on the compression stroke you should feel it push against your hand. they should all feel the same.