My 235 was running really ruff. After points & plugs & other checks I found the valve closest to the firewall to be stuck open.

I backed out the adjusting screw & put the pushrod into proper position. I retightened the adjusting screw & found it to be a 1/4 inch more of tightening to touch the pushrod properly. This tells me that the valve is over extended. The valve spring looks to be more compressed than the other valve springs. Where do I go from here?

By the way...here's the really bad news...This condition happened sometime last year. I've been running the motor...trying to find my problem. Last fall I ran the motor for at least 3/4 of an hour to get it warm before putting it into storage...all the time I've been pounding this pushrod & rocker...I'm a bonafided idiot!

How do I go about fixing this?
Can I free up that valve somehow & go about my way?
Do I need to remove the pushrod to look for damage?
Do you think my cam is damaged?
Help!!!