I hope you are right about the checking spring because yes they were checking spring and I considered that the spring didn't pull up hard on the valve as I manipulated the valve with my hand as hard as I could pull up on the retainer and zeroing the dial indicator,

290 LBS SPRING on the seat I will have to get out something stronger to manipulate the valve eh. any ideas as to what tool will manipulate? on the car valve spring remover?

it will be fun trying to PV clearancing the rest of the cylinders also if I come up with good clearance on cylinder#1

I will check it out and report back

thanks