All you said is true but the op isn't building a race engine, just perking up a 318 on a budget. Hydraulics aren't that bad. Billions of engines have been built with them.
I understand, but, I will not agree with you.
Myself and many others have suffered to many hydraulic failures and spent too much $money chasing issues related to hydraulic lifters. Sorry, just the facts.
I stand by my prior statement.