I have no clearance on any of the valves in cylinders 2 and 4. Cylinders 1 and 3 are on the tight side, but I can handle that. The zero clearance has me a bit concerned. Should I even attempt to get the valves in spec, or should I skip directly to pulling the head?

 

Tough call, not knowing the history of the motor. It may have just had a valve adjustment done by a idiot, or it could have a valve/seat issue. How far do you have currently torn down? If the engine is out, pull the head. If its close to maybe running, adjust it and hope for the best. You would hate to get it all back together after doing all you've done, just to take it all back apart.

 

The engine is still in the frame, but lowered (e.g. hanging by a thread). It wouldn't be challenging to pull the head, but I'd kind of rather not. I can say it was out of time (a tooth off on the exhaust side), so it may be better to yank it.

FWIW, I put it in time before checking the clearance.

And I would most certainly say the previous owner was not mechanically inclined at all. This thing was a mess.

 

It has been figured out. It was a combination of some incorrect procedures, some math issues, and a mechanical screw up.

I have a very good place to start tomorrow and hope to have it running without noise sometime tomorrow.

On a good note, the valves do not appear to be bent.