Lifter replacement

I used to pre-soak lifters cuz I read it in a book.
Then, after assembling a coupla engines, - cranking to fire, but had no compression.
I had to back the rocker shafts off to get the valves to close, then once running, slowly re-tighten rocker shafts down.
Haven't pre-filled since, - dozens of engines ago.
My $ .02.