Did I miss something, or are you just GUESSING you have a bent valve. "Feeling" like something is the problem and the real thing, are usually not even close.

 

when you have no compression and can hear " huffing " through the exhaust , I would say thats a valve

 

not really

 

when the piston goes on the down stroke, and if the exhaust valve is open it WILL suck air through the exhaust, normally the exhaust valve is closed on the down stroke and wouldn't hear a thing. I appreciate all the input, we know now what was done incorrectly and the builder is going to stand behind it, so I'm really not out anything but a little aggravation of pulling the motor back out

 

so what was it?

You would not hear it sucking on the down stroke......not when pushing the car, you don't hear the intake sucking in....but whatever.

I'm guessing the problem must have something to do with why you never answered anyone about the springs?

 

I don't recall the manufacturer of the springs , I gave all the specs of the springs about 15 posts ago. you hear the sucking noise when you rool the car over with the starter with the coil wire out. I've done a compression test and have 2 dead cylinders and 3 that are down and 3 that are normal( 180 psi)

 

Keep us updated.

 

You might want to find an engine builder who knows what hes doing. And when I had a blown head gasket I could hear a hissing noise turning the motor over by hand, I don't know if a bent valve would make the same noise.

 

If the engine will no longer restart, and has no compression, then you have bent valves. Your valve spring choice may have only been good up to 6000 rpm for your cam. When you floated them, they kissed a lot of pistons, maybe in all cylinders. Based on your spring pressures, you may have been saved had you had a rev limter. It looks like your valve to piston clearance was a little too tight at the same time as your pressure was a little too low.
You must be pissed that your builder left you with a time bomb. I think that just removing the heads is a great start. Hope your pistons are undamaged when you check 'em out! Your builder should check this forum before he makes his repair!