Ok....some new info.

After talking to our service shop today as he also builds race cars, he said if it has been sitting for a while, it's gummed up. So said to throw in some fuel and valve conditioner. So I ran some more Seafoam from the carb and stalled it plus put in the tank. Let sit for an hour, then took it for a chew. Haven't done a leak down yet.

But before that I had the dr. side valve cover off and started to do #3 etc for leak test. Better at 5% leaking. But #1, I played with it a bit. Took a rubber mallet and tapped a few times. Gauge went down then came up from 25 to say 40. Did this numerous times and finally got it up to 75.

So I think that's the problem. There is merit to what he said. It sat for a few years, got gummed up and needs to be freed up on valves, comp rings, etc.

So, any thoughts on that? I would appear I don't need heads, just major cleaning. Hopefully not a rip down????

Experiences of the same here?