well i just got my head back from a machine shop and a bad experience before with them screwing with my valve adjustment( different place tho) and i was wondering can i adjust the valves with the head off the block by hand or does it need the compression of the engine i just dont wanna put the head back on put it all together and then when i go to adjust the valves bend one

 

You need to do it with the head one the engine. As the head bolts are tightened the head flexes and the clearances can change. You can get them in the ball park off the block though.

 

i'm not sure how you're going to bend a valve by doing a valve adjustment. you're only adjusting rocker to cam clearance.

 

I didn't say bend a valve. The cylinder head flexes when it's tightened down. The clearance will change that much but it's good insurance to check them after the head is installed. They may be all OK in which case you just need to recheck clearances.

 

it says bend in the OP

 

There is no way to bend a valve during a valve adjustment unless you do it totally wrong which I assume if he has the skills to do it off the car he can do it on the car.

 

yeah i got it done turns out the guy at the shop never took the valves out there was so much carbon around the valve got stuck but i put it back on and adjusted them anyway thanks