Is there anyone in the Sheffield, Rotherham Chesterfield area with a Valve Spring Compressor I could borrow, or bring a cylinder head to your place to pop the valves out? Fairly large valves in a Jaguar XK head.

Cheers.

Pete

If you're just taking them out, use a couple of sockets and a hammer:
Put the head on the bench springs side up. Put a suitably sized socket under the head of the valve to stop it from opening.
Put a socket on a 6" extension on the spring cap. Holding the socket in place with the extension, whack it with a hammer. The collets will jump into the socket. It may take a couple of whacks.
A pillar drill works well to re-assemble!

I've a couple of different ones you're welcome to borrow. I'm 2mins off M1 J36.

[Edited on 29/7/14 by Nickp]