[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

Nice progress...not necessary to pull the heads to do valve seals.

I agree!
but....
If you pull the heads you can clean ALL the carbon AND lead deposits from the combustion chambers, a very good thing, AND do a valve job. IF you don't do a valve job, you can lap the valves and at least check to see how well the valves are seating, and get the heads cleaned at a machine shop. Make sure you replace the freeze plugs in the heads IF you do this.

At this time you should replace the valve springs (not expensive).

When and IF doing this, you can clean off the tops of the pistons, then take some scotchbrite and polish all the sharp edges on the piston tops and the edges of the combustion chambers on the heads (sharp spots can contribute to pinging).