I just want to say this site has always been helpful.
SO...With keeping with what I regard is the BEST, #1 piece of advice for anyone, I had someone in here finally say what everyone needs to hear.

ANY noticeable issues, ALWAYS DO COMPRESSION TEST FIRST!!!

COMPESSION IS EVERYTHING

I found #8, #3 and #4 cylinders were low, #8 being ZERO. Upon teardown, i found every one of those cylinders had a valve partially opened, #8 intake and exhaust were stuck open. Pushed to verify and they poppped back relatively easy. Diagnosis was simple: weak springs or bent valves...removed the springs, pulled the valves out, cleaned oiled and they moved like a stiff dick in a bucket of lard...

IF I HAD JUST DONE THE TEST FIRST, I'D HAVE SAVED MONEY AND A LOT OF TIME.

So the guy was right..."don't talk to me until you do a compresion test "

Money in the bank...thank you whoever u were!

All my stuff is for big truck engines and antique...the very next day I bought my SnapOn gauge and the 7.3 adapter. Saucy, but I do not buy junk when its this important. FYI...i brazed an air fitting to a modded glow plug and used my buddy's cheapy gauge...it was all over the place...even number 8 showed 200...then 0...then....i gave up. You get what you pay for. EVERYTHING i bought for my engine is FORD unless they do not make it or I need performance parts, i.e. comp cam springs,turbo, stage 1 cam etc. Even the injector seals seem cheap, especially the copper sealing washers...

BONUS: Do NOT tap your injectors in!!!! Yes, it can work, but I highly advise against it. That recess on the washer crushes to seal. If you hit it with even a wooden handle from a hammer, it smashes it flat. Get some good lube, I recommend Kimball Midwest o ring lube, and nothing more than human arm pushing down hard until it pops in...i did my experiment when I was told this and yes...hammer smashed it flat. This is for basic DIYers...many already know this, but even seasoned mechanics said bull****...until I showed them. I will NEVER use anything to "tap" the injectors in. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...
CHRIS ROCK: "You CAN drive a car with your feet, but that doesn't make it a good idea!"

For what you pay someone to do the test, you are almost have way to owning and itll be at your finger tips from now on.

 

Great advice