Stuck valve AND valve cover question??

[Tedredamphi]

Okay, when I shut my Amphicar off three weeks ago it was purring like a kitten. Yesterday, It was difficult to start and ran horribly. I figured it was a stuck valve and was able to loosen and pull up the valve cover part way to determine it was the #3 exhaust valve that was stuck open.
Is there any secret to getting the valve cover completely off? Even with the inspection door removed from the firewall, I can't seem to maneuver it off.
And then is there any secret to freeing up a stuck valve, assuming that it isn't bent? Do I also need to run Marvel Mystery Oil or Instead-o-Lead in my gas to prevent this from happening?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ted Matthews

 

[SNOWBIRD]

If you have the proper mounts on motor and trany(Some are too thick..high)
The valve cover will lift up then tilt to dist , side and off.The heater hose must not be in the way.
the valve could be in the open position due to a broken return spring.Hopefully it did not hit the piston and get bent, Now you would have to pull the head!
Fuel,,I add lead to each fill up along with a starbrite Ethanal additive.I try to buy fuel at marinas to get Real Fuel.

 

[Tedredamphi]

Gord,
The mounting studs for my valve cover were too tall. I shaved them off to a more appropriate length and was then able to remove the valve cover by the method that you suggested. Now I can at least see what's going on in there.
Apparently I've got a lubrication problem with my valves and guides and I'm wondering if it's because whoever rebuilt this head installed valve guide seals. I just looked at my original Amphicar head and it has NO valve guide seals on it. Any comment on this?
If I do have to rebuild a head, are there any things that I need to do special, i.e. different valves, hardened valve seats, etc.?
Thanks,
Ted
P.S.
They don't sell real fuel in Texas and where in the world do you buy lead????

 

[goobcarla]

Ted - Search non ethanol gas texas, you'll find many stations all over Texas that sell "real gas". Lead substitute is available under the Solder Seal/Gunk brand name, part #M5012. It should be carried by NAPA and various other auto parts stores. You may also want to try Sea Foam(www.seafoamsales.com) part #SF16. I use these products on the 40 car collection which I maintain, they have solved many storage and related problems! Gary.

 

[Tedredamphi]

I try to use real gas but it is getting harder to find near the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. I use a phone APP called "Pure Gas" to find real gas stations and it's now almost 100 miles to those stations. I've also been using "Instead-o-lead for an additive.
So if I have to rebuild this head , what updates do I need to make to the valves/seats/guides for the new gasoline that we burn??????

 

[goobcarla]

Seems that hardened seats and a good valve job with new springs is about all that can be done. I've had that done to a few of the cars here, but I still use all the additives and Valvoline Racing Oil which is formulated with zinc and phosphorous(ZDDP), a must in older style engines, in my opinion. I have switched all the cars here to ethanol free gas with a mixture of Sea Foam and lead additive after replacing way to many fuel tanks, filters, pumps & carbs. It may be a good idea to pull the head just to check how "crudded-up" the inside is. If you need to continue to use ethanol fuel, try some Startron or a similar "ethanol killer treatment". Gary.