1) "From what I found, the relief is factory set in the directional valve at 2000psi but could be stuck open from debris that wouldn't allow pressure to build in the system. .....audible squeal or hissing sound ...... The sound of the engine will change ...."
How do I check this? No squeal or change in engine sound when under load.
2) "The cylinder piston seals could also be blowing by. .... slower ram movement ..... when the ram stops when splitting, the relief is opening and you'll hear the noises I described above (engine loading and relief sounds)"
Again, how do I check this? No change in engine noise or a squeal. No oil leak around ram. Internal blow by?
3) "You could also have an air leak on the suction side of the pump. ..... pump cavitation and reduced pressures....."
Any way to check this other than visual inspection? Oil leak?
4) ".....what pressures are being generated at the pump output and at each port of the valves,......"
What pressures should I be seeing at each port? May be buying a gauge (3000 psig or 5000 psig?) and appropriate fittings. Install at each line of the control valve?
5) ".... buy hydraulic line plugs and block off your hoses where they connect to the cylinder. This will rule out bad piston seals by deadheading the pump and forcing the oil over the relief. If the engine noise doesn't change when you try moving the ram with the hoses blocked off, it's either a stuck relief or the pump isn't generating pressure as it should."
Are you talking about just capping off each hose or connecting them together so you have a continuous loop for the fluid to go? If the latter, I could install a T inline and see what pressure the pump is generating?
, and it hammering down now , 
