I think that kind of spring will have a very different "rate" (force versus movement characteristic) when it is shortened, Mark. That is probably why it will not throw out now that you have reshaped it, after it had broken.
Some of the older large Inteks lose their decompressors due to wear on the working edge of the stamped steel cam. They first become very sensitive to tappet clearance, then as wear continues, they will not decompress even when the tappet is correctly adjusted. At that point the camshaft has to be replaced.
