GTV6 won't run - please help!

["Eric Valley" <ericvalley@xxxxxxxxx>]

First of all, thanks in advance.  For the last week or so my '85 GTV6 
was idling at about 1,400 RPM (over usual 1K) but otherwise running 
fine.  I suspected worn hoses and was going to change them all but this 
past Saturday it became sluggish and quickly deteriorated until I barely 
made it home from the t-ball field, which luckily is only a couple of 
miles from home (yes I am a six year old Alfa driver, I can barely reach 
the pedals, but I did go three for three and score three runs).  The 
next day (yesterday) it barely made it over the bump at the end of my 
driveway and into the garage.  It won't rev at all, and doesn't want to 
start.  I have checked two of the spark plugs, which were fine, but I 
suppose I should check the other four for maybe a bent or burnt valve.  
I did over-rev it for less than half a second about a week ago (only to 
about 6,000, but I thought I heard a little gnashing or "valve float" 
for that fraction of a second). There was a valve train click several 
days later so I stopped driving it, awaiting the cam cover gaskets and 
spark plug seals from Alfa Of Tacoma, but I had to take it Saturday 
because the baseball equipment won't fit in my other running car.  I 
should receive the parts today, and am checking the other plugs and the 
compression tonight.  I have not yet checked the rotor or cap.  Any 
ideas?  Abused shim?  Bent valve?  Things to look for?  This isn't a 
blown engine, is it?  Head gasket?  Please help.  (And thanks again, 
Tony, for the GTV, which this week at least is now my daily driver. 
Darn, if it's not one thing it's another  .  .  .  ).  
Again, TIA.

Eric Valley
Shelton WA
'74 GTV
'85 GTV6 (still?)
'77 Alfetta
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