Manifold caked with filth

Sounds like you need an engine

 

Or part of an engine... like a valve head...

 

Where'd the air come out? That will tell you the issue. Exhaust or intake is valves. If out of dipstick you have a ring, piston or cylinder issue.

I'd look at throwing a junkyard motor instead of fixing this one.

 

Did you also do a wet compression test? I've only had this happen once but basically the engine was flooded trying to start it. Zero compression across the board. A little oil from the wet compression test and the engine turned out to be fine with between 110-125 psi across the cylinders and the customer was happily ever after

 

don't get me feeling optimistic! I will look into doing a wet compression test although, I tested the other cylinders and the compression was fine. Also, the engine started up fine so not sure if it would have started up fine if it was flooded.

 

Monitor misfires. If exhaust valve, you will see misfires at a low engine loads, will decrease or disappear at high load.
At this point I would start looking into a head removal

 

It means his truck chose a new Pope

 

Ahah I guess also not saying your engine is flooded or saying this will work but who knows. It surprised me when it worked. Don't bother doing another compression test. Just pull the plug of that cylinder and drop a little oil down the cylinder. As mentioned above though, be prepared for engine repairs

 

Props brother! That was completly unexpected, hence pretty damn funny!