according to Helms and Haynes, valves are too be clearanced with 0.003-0.005 in on the Intake, and 0.006-0.008 in on the Exhaust.

has anyone ever left them this loose? them shits are wobbly as hell, they click just from rocking side to side!

anyway, i made em tighter than that, but a LOT looser than they were... some still had contact at TDC, so that had at least something to do with it.

compression in #4 (the low one) was at 178 cold, so im making improvements, but im gonna drive it for a while, and check it again when the car is warm, as per Helms spec.

thanks again for everyones help!