I have a B230FT engine with low compression in the front 2 cylinders (~100psi). The back 2 cylinders are at 125-130psi. When i dumped about 1/4 cup of oil into the 2nd cylinder, its compression came up to 120psi. I'm thinking bad rings in the first 2 cyclinders, but I thought that all 4 would be the same if rings were bad. If there is a blown head gasket between cylinders 1 and 2, could the oil have temporarily sealed the gap, causing the compression to come up? Other facts-
184K miles on engine, no sign of coolant in oil, all 4 plugs had cruddy, moist electrodes, there are wisps of smoke coming from the valve cover when I remove the oil cap (burning oil). Looking at the camshaft, I didn't see any significant gaps between the cam lobes and the tops of the valves (sorry, I don't know the terminology) when the valves should be closed. I guess the best way to determine if it's the head gasket is to just take the head off, but does anyone have any ideas on other simple ways to determine what the problem is? Thanks.