<VV> Dead cylinder

[Jim Houston]

Well, I need some help!  I was on the way home from work the other day, 
and as I left a light, my faithful '65 110HP  4 speed developed a miss - 
or should I say, a severe miss?  I checked all the obvious stuff (plugs, 
plug wires, etc), and finally did a compression check.  Number 4 
cylinder has zero compression.  The others are between 195 and 200 (on 
the brand new compression gauge I bought just for the occasion).  I 
removed the valve covers and can't find anything wrong.  Following the 
directions in both the GM Shop Manual and the Corvair Basics manual, I 
attempted to set the valves on that cylinder.  About the only thing I 
found that appears wrong is there is no "free play" on the intake 
pushrod - - there isn't any "spring" to the lifter.  Is it possible that 
the lifter is collapsed and not extending enough to open the valve??  
Other than that, I have no ideas left.  The engine wasn't making any 
terrible noises before the miss started, and didn't make any after the 
miss started, so I don't think anything mechanical has broken inside. 
Should I be ordering some lifters?  What are the chances that there is a 
hole in the piston?  Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jim Houston
'65 Monza Coupe
Brandon, FL