[ivymike1031]

There wasn't a particular sound that I can describe, it just didn't sound normal while cranking. There wasn't any kind of clicking, thumping, popping, etc., but it just didn't sound quite right.

* fuel rail was pressurized

* spark was present & strong at all four cyls

* valve timing (cam phase) was set correctly, and I re-tensioned the timing belt just in case

* compression test showed the following:
cyl 1: 90psi
cyl 2: 30psi
cyl 3: 60psi
cyl 4: 155psi
I should add that the compression test results were somewhat fishy, due to the poor quality of the compression test instrument. It is difficult to be sure that the device is properly seated & sealed, but I tried to be careful about getting it in there.