Yes for some reason when compression checked, each cylinder fell inline numerically close. My only guess is the valves were hanging open close enough to the seat to catch when pressures in the cylinder. The valves hanging open when they should have been seated was only caught by luck. Granted removal of the engine, heads off, looking at everything it was by chance a keen eye caught the valves off the seat slightly.
Hind sight, thinking of a way to diagnose this scenario,...on a cold engine, apply low regulated compressed air into the cylinder thru the sparkplug hole. Remove the trottle body and do some listening.
Take the lashers out, holding them with pliers or in a vise and heat them up to engine temp and squeeze out the contents while working them. Take the old lashers and do the same. Who to say the manufacturing is the same. The new lashers could be different. Oil weights play a big role in lashers due to their microscopic tolerances. Who to say manufacturing oil or assembly oil isnt trapped in them screwing with you. Oil just doesnt flow through these things and typically gets trapped.
Im a fan of strong lashers on the intake valve and loose sloppy lashers on the exhaust valve.