HELP! Valve job on 1939 Stude President 8 cylinder

[Guest earl39]

I need help. I need to replace the valve guides and resurface the valve seats on my flathead 8 cyl. I have removed the valves but cannot figure how to remove the valve springs and lifters. The lifters are held in place by "Guide Brackets". I removed the bolts from the "Brackets" but they are held in place by the tension of the valve springs. Can't compress the springs enough to remove them first. What am I missing?