Im shimming my springs finally to fix the harmonic issue (Crane 842 springs). Problem is, for some reason so far on the driver side, the exhaust retainers as I compress them, push the valve down rather than just the retainer going down and the valve staying up (yes, the cylinders are compressed with an air compressor). Any ideas??

 

Take the valve spring compressor tool off. Tap the retainers a few times lightly with a small hammer. Then put your valve spring compresser tool back on. Always does the trick for me.

 

You may want to rotate the motor so the piston is up as well, then put in gear (assuming a stick) so if a valve drops it won't go far. I just used the TDC method in the end.