340 lifter noise

after 5 monthes of this i finally fixed it. when i removed the original head gaskets i never measured them before tossing them.I assumed stock style gaskets should work .mistake 2.assuming felpro would make a stock thickness gasket for a stock kit, mistake 3, assuming anything at all mistake 4.
after i put in the 8553 gasket ,i bought new pushrods after measuring it seemed 7.550 should work,but it was still noisy.so i debated buying a new cam and lifters or adjustable rockers but i was sick of guessing,so i ordered a set of the .025 mopar head gaskets and put the stock pushrods back in,it measured up but was still noisy running,so i put the 7.550 pishrods in and the noise went away.so i dont know what was in for gaskets before but i ended up using 4 different intake gassskets and about 4 gallons of vr1 oil and 4 filters,2 sets head gaskets ,3 header gaskets and valve cover gaskets. is there such a thin head gasket out there that may have been in my motor to cause this?
tks scott