compression test may/may not give correct info, tom terrific hat needed. the vacuum gauge will give a heck of a lot more info for sure and it will dynamic under actual operating conditions. leak down is of no value i see here.

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article...nostics&A=2393

hummm not so fast, the leak down could tell if excessive blow-by is an issue, but then again, would be other tells!

 

considering the circumstances in this case,,,,compression and leak down NEED to be confirmed,,,,if your cylinders are not sealing, nothing else matters, got to know from square 1.
m

 

Do you have typical values for an HD? Since manifold pressure fluctuates drastically on a HD, what do you recommend for a damping orifice?

 

keihen slow jet.......
m

 

A 40 or 45?

 

I would try 40 or 42......i have used these in my carb synch tools before,,,sometimes it works, the other thing i have done is to use a small adjustable line clamp to pinch the hose uhtill the guage stabilizes.
M

 

snubbing the gauge can be helpful but too much will be counter productive, it is not necessarily the numbers but reaction.
run your test at 1k intervals say up to 4k, of course, you will need to cool the engine with a good fan.
run the test while engine is fairly cool and repeat as temps climb, recording them, cell video works well.
for grins and giggles, all of a sudden you lose valve control via a aerated oil in lifter, it has a pattern similar to say a burned valve.
now say, you get excessive c/c pressure (reason i changed my mind on the leak down) when hot, what happens, well the rings are responsible for seal right? but the rings to do well need diff'l pressure to work better. where you have cyl pressure is combustion and exhaust (unless open port/header) and there will be diff'l but on the intake, no so much so what can happen, the blowby is no longer blowby but becomes a potential of intake charge contaminator.
it did not dawn on me till i posted the video and that you have a built in vacuum gauge, so plot the MAP readings.

 

Between S&S Premium performance lifters and Wood Performance Alpha Directional Roller lifters .....

What would you choose ?

 

No need for S&S Premiums on your bike. That being said, Ive used both Woods and S&S High performance lifters and both work just fine. S&S lifters were the more affordable.

 

Just out of curiosity, when you are making your PR presets are you going to base circle on each cylinder and then allowing the full lockdown BEFORE the adjustment or are you just adjusting and praying that it is well?