Stuck Ford V8 exhaust valves - help!

[david moore]

My valves are definitely the older non-adjustable variety. I will try to get hold of a proper spring clamp, otherwise just two hands will be far from sufficient! I'm not sure if there is a good "purchase" for the clamp to be able to compress the spring DOWN instead of UP.

The book talks about engaging the ridge on the valve guides to help pull them down but I cant see much of a ridge outboard of the retainer slot on the older variety of split guides. Maybe there is a small ridge just visible in your photo, Tony?

I suspect that my retainer clips are well and truly "welded" into place - and the guides too but maybe some tapping/pulling/jiggling once the springs are clamped out of the way will work.

Does the cam follower simply pull up out of its housing with the valve?

Finally, not having the official valve gap gauge. anyone know what the valve/ cam follower gap +/- should be in thou's when that particular valve is closed and the cam out of contact, assuming that I have to grind them in a little and then grind a little off the stem mushroom, too?

Keep the comments coming - very useful so far.