Valve Shrouding Q's

Mcsa.(Minimal Cross Section Area) If it is at the valve at say .400 lift on up, then yes less shrouding is a good idea. IF the Mcsa is some were else in the port. (most likely at the ssr)well you not going to get any more air through that port by un-shrouding it.

I'm sure cleaning and smoothing will help.

very true, if its not the smallest restriction its not going to do much! so i guess the real issues comes back to how close you can get the valves together and not hitting anything.

So .020 from margin to margin or from the edge of the seat angle to edge? also that would probably be the same to the cylinder wall?