Valve question

[Oberon]

I am in the process of removing my heads to replace my valve guides. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is a way to pull the valves out without the mounting device mentioned in the manual. I have never really pulled apart a motor, but because of my job, I'm pretty mechanically inclined. I really don't want to mess up my heads.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Spence

[Jim LaGuardia]

First off, are the guides worn, or just lacking seals? Second, any machine shop can do the job, just takes a c-clamp type valve spring compressor, the tiny spring compressors won't work.

[Oberon]

I've posted about this before, but I'm pouring out blue smoke at startup and the engine is missing at cruising speed. I've adjusted the valves, carbs, checked the timing, and gone through alot of plugs. I was hoping to see one of the cylinder look different than the others. I thought it was a bad valve guide. all of the tops of the pistons look the same and the valves on the head look pretty much the same. Do I need to pull the valves out to check the guides and seals?
Thanks
Spence

Also, is I'm sure I can get a valve clamp at one of the local auto stores, but is there a certain model that you would recommend?

[Oberon]

As I was looking at my heads, I don't see any seals on the top of the intake guides, Both the intake and exhaust valves look the same, and I can only see what I think is the tops of the valve guides. so I take it that my valves never had seals??? Is this pretty common, and could this be part of my problem?

[Jim LaGuardia]

Yes it is common and most likely a contributor to your smoke issue. The good news is that you can check for guide wear with a dial indicator and if you spread the retaining rings a bit, you can fit the stock seals with little effort. Leave the gap in the retainer rings pointing down.