This is my first restoration and I don't know many people who can help around where I live. I was wondering if anyone knows a website or can explain to me how to set the valve springs and gauge them porperly on my 305. I have all the right tools but the shop manual I have isn't very clear. Can anyone help?!

Thanks

Chris

I am not sure I understand what you mean by gaging your valves, but maybe this info will help.
Installed hieght should be 1 23/32", plus or minus 1/32.
Pressure lbs. @in. closed 76-84@1.70
open 194-206@1.25

Thank you, that answers my question.

Are you doing a valve job? The machine shop will assemble the heads if you are otherwise why are you disassembling the heads?

What it is I'm doing to make this clear. My heads have been redone in a machine shop and they installed new valve springs cause my old ones were finished, so this weekend I'm going to adjust them... using a feeler gauge of course. And all I wanted to know is the gaps for the springs and some tips if anyone had any on gaping them.

If it was a proper valve job by a reputable shop you shouldn't have to do anything. If you want to doublecheck their work-check the installed height, coil clearance at max cam lift and retainer to valve guide clearance. However if this is a pretty much a stock rebuild none of the above is really necessary.

I see, so do I measure the clearance of each spring between each of the coils until I get the propre gaping...? by turning over the engine

The reason you would want to check the clearance between the coils is to prevent coil bind. Coil bind occurs when the spring is compressed so tight there is no clearance between the coils. This is only a problem if you are using a very high lift camshaft, maybe .550" or more. If it is less than that you should not have any problems. If you have coil bind you most likely need different springs with a taller installed height. Coil bind can have disasterous consequences in a high performance engine but is rarely a problem in a street performance rebuild. Use the cam grinders recommendations as to valve springs and you will be ok.

thank you for all your help! I'll get on that today!