Bent up stuff

So you have a problem...... You have 2 choices. Either keep hacking at ideas and spend countless hours getting nowhere or put your motor back on the stand and go at it. Get yourself a How to build race engines book and there is more than ample information in it to help you along.

If it were me I would go in this order.

1-Pull Heads. Fill each port with fluid and check for a bent valve.
2-Degree the Camshaft.
3-Stick a head back on and check Piston to Valve clearance. A good time to check proper pushrod Length and coil bind on the Valve Spring. And I always check atleast 2 cylinders.

No need in discussing the numbers you are looking for as everyone has their own opinions but the book I mentioned never failed me in the past when I was learning all this stuff and wanted the safe route. And unfortunately there is an expense to checking what I have said in the way of tools but if you really want to do all this work yourself then make the investment. It is so worth it not relying on people to do things.

And lastly I have made more bonehead tunes on motors than all the guys on this board together probably lol. And even I have never had this happen.....Something is in a bind. Could be PtoV clearance, tight guide, coil bind, and the list can go on. Your friend was just trying to help you. You and he will laugh about this one day. Pull it down and fix it so you can find something else to seek and destroy....

Good luck,
JW