Anybody else think I need a new head gasket for '55 President?

[colt45sa]

Thanks Bud-
I tested thermostat first thing. I might give the NAPA test a look. I checked on it with a local auto repair place and he said they get a lot of false negatives with that test(??). I think the initial overheating occurred because of a bad hose and maybe a bad cap. Does everyone run a 7# cap? The recommended pressure for mine (from the manual) is 14#. When I bought it though, it had a 7#er with a recored radiator.
As far as the compression #s- I've got a new set of heads and I could install those, along with the gaskets. Could be a sticking valve in the head. But I will run the dye test first and try a little more to determine what is going on.

The compression test is awful. Did you do a wet leak down test as well as a dry test? If you have a "new" set of heads and a gasket set, why would you not simply swap the heads? I expect when you say "new" you mean new guides, valve grind, and seals. It doesn't get much better than that~! I'm surprised that the 'manual' would specify a 14# cap when a 1957 Chevrolet requires a 7# cap.

[cwsimpson]

The compression test is awful. Did you do a wet leak down test as well as a dry test? If you have a "new" set of heads and a gasket set, why would you not simply swap the heads? I expect when you say "new" you mean new guides, valve grind, and seals. It doesn't get much better than that~! I'm surprised that the 'manual' would specify a 14# cap when a 1957 Chevrolet requires a 7# cap.

Colt-
When I first saw that compression #, that's exactly what I thought! That's another reason why I was asking about head bolts. I did run a wet test on that same cylinder- very slight increase-indicating most of the problem is with the head , or gasket (increased to 120#). Maybe I just had to hear somebody say what you said and I'll find time to do it and do it right! Thanks for your input. (Idon't understand the different numbers on the caps either.)