[rhutson]

Is there a way to check compression with no pwer, the starter is completely rusted out and thought before I start spending a bunch I wanted to see what the compression was and take it from there.

rhutson in NC

 

[fedorov5549]

Turn it over by hand and see if you get any pressure. Sometimes you can remove the jet pump and get a drill on the drivshaft to turn it over.

 

[GCwaverunner]

Big rope on the coupler. May need 3 people to do it. 2 to hold it and one to pull the cord. Turning over by hand wont achieve anything.

 

[Scarab95]

Use an air compressor with an adapter. Bring the piston up so the exhaust port is closed, try to pressurize it around 100 psi and see how fast it leaks down. Might give you an idea. If everything else is that bad I'd guess there's not much in compression.
If you pull off the exhaust you can look at the exhaust side of the piston, that's generally where you'll see damage to the ring or piston