I suggest that this is a common problem with the atomic 4. I suggest that the problem was compression and requires a valve job. Not a big deal but the affect on the rest of the engine might be awful. If this is the only problem now then by fixing the compression the engine may operate better but the strain may damage other parts of the motor like crak shafts, Lifter arms or bearings. Consider this because this is the result of a valve job on an old atomic 4.