Crank the motor over several times, I cranked for about 4 seconds per test and watch the guage climb. In a healthy motor, compression should build up rather quickly. Low compression reading on the first stroke, followed by very gradually increasing compression on successive strokes, indicated work pistion rings. A low compression reading on the first stroke, which doesnt build up during successive strokes, indicated leaking valves or a blown head gasket, which also could be a cracked head. Heavy carbon deposits on the valves could also cause lower than average reading as well as a possibly higher than average reading. Record the highest reading that the guage stops at after cranking for a bit.