Listers: 
For comparative purposes, here is a list of seated valve pressures and spring 
rates taken from an old IskyCam catalog.  These are their "recommendations" 
for use with their milder camshaft profiles.  The examples I have below are 
using the same Isky replacement spring pair.  I think Isky sold these springs 
because they fit and not because they work well.  No wonder they discontinued 
them...
Car             Isky Spring part #      Seat Pressure   Spring rate per inch
BMW 1600        # 625/626               120 lbs         300 lbs
Porsche     # 625/626               110 lbs         300 lbs
Sunbeam     # 625/626                 70 lbs            300 lbs
Volvo 1800      # 625/626                 98 lbs            300 lbs
Other English cars valve seat pressures, using other spring combinations are 
listed below.  The size and weights of the valve itself is a factor, and 
these examples are similar sized.  No other engine in the book has a lower 
seated pressure than Sunbeam...or even close.  
Austin Healey 100-4     105 lbs
Ford Anglia 1500        100 lbs
Jaguar 3.8-4.2          110 lbs
MGA-MGB             115 lbs
Sprite                  100 lbs
Sprite Competition      115 lbs
Triumph             100 lbs
Triumph Competition 115 lbs
    ...and here is a BIG valve engine, for comparison.
Boss 302 Ford           135-160 lbs depending on installed height
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