do these symptoms suggest I need a valve adjustment? Edit: or bent valve?

[koko64]

Yeah, sorry to see the situation's turned to shit.
I can see you visiting with a pickup full of hardarse mates and taking your bike back.
Once the bike is in your hands you can name and shame these people.

[Rudemouthsky]

I have a couple buds ready to clock out and show up when I need to. On my way there now with notes and I'm gonna be nice n' calm. They could have picked a wayyyyy easier target than me.

[Rudemouthsky]

Thanks to all of you I'm getting my bike back today and paying $0. The heads are removed but the engine is in the frame. On my way to rent a Uhaul now.

So...I'm gonna ship these heads off like I should have done from the beginning. Anyone here interested?

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

[Rudemouthsky]

Hmmm 944 kit

[the_Journeyman]

944

JM

[krista]

meh to 944... if the cylinders still have their nikasil, keeping stock compression means less fussy riding overall...

... me and my old age.

[koko64]

Dont  listen to that 'ol fart (actually I think I'm older)  .

If the bores are good, but rings end up needing replacing, just get some JE hi comps, heavy duty studs and an Ignitech. Hell, chuck in a light flywheel and have some fun.    "Old Chris" has the studs, flywheel and pistons at good prices.

Ship the motor to one our own and you'll be right.

[the_Journeyman]

I did read that the 944 tends to have issues with detonation. 

JM

[memper]

Glad that worked out to your benefit.

Moral of the story that I can glean: keep your bike at home. Buy the necessary tools if you don't have them already. Ask questions here and do your own work.

[brad black]

to check if the valves are sealing, turn the head upside down and fill the chamber with petrol.  if the valves are leaking it will run out of the ports.

[Rudemouthsky]

to check if the valves are sealing, turn the head upside down and fill the chamber with petrol.  if the valves are leaking it will run out of the ports.

There was no need. All 4 valves were visibly bent and I could see daylight through where both exhaust valves were (not) seated. How it could have been RIDDEN 30 miles to the dealership in that condition is something I'll never know. 

[Dirty Duc]

There was no need. All 4 valves were visibly bent and I could see daylight through where both exhaust valves were (not) seated. How it could have been RIDDEN 30 miles to the dealership in that condition is something I'll never know. 

Does this dealer remove the belts when checking/adjusting valves?

[ducpainter]

Pretty easy to figure out what happened.

[Rudemouthsky]

Pretty easy to figure out what happened.

They damaged them doing the valve adjust, then tried to cover their asses by screwing me?

[ducpainter]

I can't prove it, and the shop has not given you leak down or compression test results which were done before the adjust, if my recollection of the timeline is correct.

I believe the tech put the belts back on out of time and bent them.

I think at this point it's best to just move on like you're doing and fix your bike.

You have a good bottom end in that other motor, and if the guides were not cracked you can sell the heads and cylinders separately or as a basket case motor.