John, Be sure to carefully read all the posts in this thread about rotator valves. Then post questions on Fordbarn. Also, buy a good rebuild manual.
https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/pr...=18&Topic=3031
It would be a great help if you could post some photos of what you are working with, including the valves assembly you are now using.
I made this valve spring compressor (see photos) 33 years ago when I rebuilt my 8BA with one piece valve guides and rotator valves. I used Ron Bishops's book as a guide. I remember there was a misprint of the firing order in the book.
https://www.alibris.com/search/books...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
It was originally a valve spring compressor for small gasoline engines but with the block of wood added, it worked great. Use a hardwood like ash or oak. Perhaps you could make one also. My engine did not have hardened valve seats and they were in good shape so I let them be. I used the rubber seals were used on both intake and exhaust
valves. Some Fordbarn folks say this is not needed. That may be so but at the time I just wanted to rebuild the engine as OEM.
Good luck. Do a Fordbarn search on valves. For instance, you must read all of this thread.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238741
and this:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ht=pickle+fork
There are many good books about rebuilding a flatty.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ron+...hrome&ie=UTF-8