thanks for the strap idea. My biggest issue was being able to turn the tester hose to thread it in. I wised up and made a duct tape 'handle' at the top of the hose to give myself more turning power. So I got all the numbers now:
1: 120 dry, 135 wet
2: 145 dry
3: 125 dry
4: 120 dry, 145 wet
5: 130 dry
6: 145 dry
so per head I have:
front 120, 125, 130
back 145, 120, 145
I retested the two lowest cylinders wet as well to help determine if piston rings might be more to blame... Maybe?
the biggest margine is about 17% on the back head.
Is this a cause for concern for the heads?
and the big question: Am I going to want the build this one?
I didn't get around to the water pump yet (pending my decision on whether or not to sell), and the LIM has the black stock gaskets, though I didn't see any puddles around the LIM bolts. A bit of grime, but not puddles.