I plan on checking out a TII near me this weekend, but the owner says that it won't turn over, and thus I run into the problem of how to check the compression. The thing I am most concerned with is checking the compression, very little else matters at the moment, so I want to prepare to check it however possible whether we can get it to turn over or not. I'm also open to ideas about how to get it to turn over, it's my understanding that turning a motor by hand will be a terribly inaccurate way to check the compression. I'd also like to know if anyone near Ames or Des Moines has a rotary compression tester I could borrow (I know they're expensive, I could provide collateral if you want).

It's the car in this FS thread, the description might give a little insight to the problem(s):
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=654352

 

Well, you could turn it by hand with the spark plugs out, and listen for even pulses...that'll let you know if it's blown or not...but it won't tell you what kind of numbers.

 

^^ I know that already. I guess if nothing else I will end up doing that, but I still really need to know accurate compression numbers, because I can't keep a non-running car at our apartment for long, and I'm resistant to have it towed any distance, so I need to get it to Ames on its own power if I buy it.

 

Accurate compression... you need to at least get it to 250 RPM.

Pull the egi fuse and connect the starter directly to a good battery. Make sure you make the connection when you are out from under the car, in case it slips into gear or something.

 

^^^ great idea. I could easily rig a switch to do it, too, so I get a good connection and fewer sparks.