[Blown head gasket...now what?!?]

My check engine light is on at 140,000 miles on a 97 Outback. In check in the valve clearances, an exhaust valve for cylinder 4 has zero clearance at all cam shaft rotations. Is the valve likely broken/cracked/stretched? Is the seal worn? Please advise on likely cause and solutions.

 

From reading through the forums, I understand that the head gaskets are a problem as well, so perhaps a head gasket/valve job is in order.

 

Help!

[97 Outback Collapsed Piston?]

Well, looks like I have found someone with a similar problem. At 140,000 miles Exhaust valve on Cylinder 4 has zero clearance and I suspect the valve may be cracked in half. Can anyone confirm that a broken valve would cause this? It seems to me that if the valve wasn't seating, the clearance between the shim and cam would be higher than the spec, but I have the opposite.

 

Suggestions? Rebuilt engine? Valve job? Valve job and head gasket?

 

Please help!!!