Got the head off my 1940 Super. Been over ten years since I have had it off before. The reason I have pulled the head is no compression on a few cylinders. Stuck valves open. Let it sit several months with modern gasoline. I believe the cause for stuck valves is me letting the over flow pipe from the intake manifold clog up, and gasoline pooling in the intake ports and valve stems. It hardened to a very hard glossy substance, see the two photos. Never happened to me before, is this the way of modern gasoline? Thanks

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Think I will get the Daytona kit, have used in past times.
Agreed, think will just go ahead and pull the head. Last time pulled the head around ten years ago, cleaned the valves and re seated them. With the first four cylinders stuck soaking will only be, as mentioned, a prayer. Will end up pulling the head anyway.
Just talked with a couple full time garage people and they can assist here and there after their work hours as needed.
What I have not done in the past is to check valve stem clearance. I have the measuring tool, but have not used it. In the coming weeks may need some guidance on making sure proper setting after lapping in the valves, or one or two new valves? Have not used my blueing paint in maybe twenty years.

If I should decide to send out the carburetor and not do myself, who are the recommended companies now a days? In past years have dealt with a company in the midwest, but cannot recall their name. If there is an experienced rebuilder n the southwest that would be best?

Thanks again.

After watching some Stromberg youtube videos, I think I now remember, so many 32nds from the base of bottom of the lid of the carburetor? Thanks

Thank you. Do you know how to set the float in the AAV26?

Thanks all, will start with taking the side covers off, I am sure they will be clean in the galley side, as I change the oil approximately every 4 to 500 miles. So will start there and can pull the head next. Before I pull the head will start with the diesel oil soak, it won't hurt and may make freeing up valves a bit easier? I have all the tools and spring compressors needed to do a valve job if needed. But, I did a valve job around ten years and a couple thousand miles ago, so not anticipating needing complete job again?
Another question, in the past always got a carburetor rebuild kit and did my own carburetors. May do again, or send out? When I do mine I leave the float the same. Change the needle and seat but careful not to bent the floats. If I should need to set the float level for the Stromberg AAV 26 how do you do that? I have an extra light 6 volt electric pump with hoses and adapters to connect to most carburetors so I should be able to pump gas into the carb and see where it stops, but then on the Stromberg as I remember when you take the top off of the carburetor the floats come off also?
Who is selling the best carburetor kit right now?
Thanks mucho!!

Thank you all so far. One thing I did notice inside of the distributor the rotor cracked at the base and was able to rotate a bit on the shaft. Might it be possible if there was any misfiring cause damage to the valves?

Will get some diesel oil, won't hurt? When you say filling, it that to where you can see it looking down the spark plug hole? Filling it up to the hole? Then keeping it topped off. Thanks

I could try letting them soak? Do I drain the oil out first if I use diesel? But if no other answers probably best to just pull the head? Thanks

I have not run into this issue before. For my 1940 Super Eight. Had to let it sit for around three months before tried to start the car. Ran fine for a couple miles, got some gas. Then started to run very rough, but nursed it back home. Had to let it set for a few more weeks. Now cannot get it started. Today got a friend that owns a local garage to assist me as I thought I was missing something obvious. There seems to be spark everywhere and to the plugs. Tried a new set of plugs, just in case that was an issue. Still nothing. Tried some starting fluid, and got just one backfire through the carburetor. Checked compression on one cylinder nothing using a compression checker and the finger test. Then checked three more cylinders, no compression. My friend states that when cranking there is even sound so sounds like all cylinders not compression. He put some oil down one cylinder to see if it makes a difference, did not. Blew some air down a few cylinders and comes out the carburetor. He says letting it sit and some bad fuel has stuck the valves open?
Before I pull the head any thoughts? Thanks very much, as always