Checked the compression in the cylinders. Took plugs out and checked each cylinder in line and wrote down the readings (i mistakenly noted bar rather than the psi reading) – when converted the readings are about 180psi which represents 10:1 compression ratio which is good and quite high. A previous owner had the engine bored out to +40thou and had the head skimmed 55thou – these would certainly continue to the high compression ratio.
If one of the readings (or all) are low then by adding a small amount of oil into each cylinder and if the reading increases significantly then rings are suspect – if no difference then valves could not be seating properly.