I have a 1988 F150 302 4X4 standard transmission. The truck runs but not well. Had a mechanic friend check the compression and found that #2 cylinder was dead (zero compression). I don't have a blown head gasket, and when he removed the valve cover, he found that 1 of the push rods was bent to an almost "Z figuration." Could I just replace the push rod and valve spring and turn the valve stem to see if the valve would seat and check that it is not bent? Would this be a safe thing to do to see if it would run without removing the head?

 

I would just throw in a push rod and see if it made it better unless the spring is broke. Check the rocker arm make sure its not damaged.