Hydraulic Compensators

I have a 78 450SL that lost a plastic timing chain guide which sucked into the cam sprocket which threw the cam out of time which ate all the exhaust valves in that head. I am in the middle of doing a valvejob and the manual says to check the hydraulic compensator for the valve, push down on them with a hammer handle and replace any that collapse faster than others. Well a couple will compress very easy (and return) but MOST of them I cannot move at all. They will rotate okay. Can I pull them out, soak in some cleaner (what cleaner)? Please don't tell me to replace all of them $$$$$$. Thanks