[Lynn Eades]

Tony, It only became "a nightmare" (which it isn't) because I decided To use the Ford 9N lifters, instead of the hollow (holes in sides)ones.
The other problem was not having on hand a second set of Johnson spanners (un ground)
The old factory set up with mushroom stems is fine if like Alex you have access to the right gear. I have looked around for an old valve refacer, but not yet landed on the right one. The other thing is I'm in my early sixties and not sure I need one anymore. I will use adjustables and one piece guides in any motor I do.

On a side note here are a couple of bits of info I have picked up just recently:

1) Bigger inlet valves gain you nothing until you have "upped the anti" in many other areas as well.

2) from a guy who is building V8 flatheads all the time (his business in the States)
He says bore size increase does very little in the power stakes, but increased stroke gives good gains.
He will not take on any Ford flathead v8 job unless the customer:
- 1. is prepared to go with using torque plates.
- 2.The installation of bronze lined guides.
Everything else is negotiable.
To me that is good advice.