Cam and lifter problem
Bob their the single springs Comp cams calls for with dampers. We have every part comp cams calls for right down to the pushrods and roller tip rockers. We didn't measure the clearance from retainer to guide cause this isn't a very big cam and a local that builds big block chevys all the time said it shouldn't be a problem but since we have to pull it apart again I'll check it. Funny thing is though the Sealed Power lifters didn't all clatter like this. You'd think if it was retainer to guide interference they would have done it. It is a very good suggestion to check though and I willl do it when we tear back into it tuesday.
Mr.318 the adjustment your uncle refered too is setting the lifter preload. When you take the rockers down to no tick then 1 turn past you have pre-loaded the lifters approx. .050 inch. The rocker arm stud is a 7/16 20 thread per inch stud. 20 threads per inch comes out to be .050 per turn. The service manual calls for preloading 1 full turn. That's a stock specification. Comp cams says to only preload them .030 + or - .010 which is just slightly over a half turn. That's what we did. We even tried preloading more but the results were the same. Lifter tick.
Thanks guys.