Spring/Keeper interference with Rocker

nm9stheham said
Yes... look up 'lifter removal tool.

I have a lifter removal tool, but I'm not seeing how they come out through the head openings; only way I've ever done it is through the dizzy opening, or pulling the intake.

nm9stheham said
Check that rocker to see if there are any hairline cracks, including in the pushrod pocket.

Have you removed the pushrods and rolled them to see if they are perfectly straight? And are they the exact same length? Look at the pushrod on that lifter and see if it has any rubs marks on it, and see if it a tad shorter than the rest.

All pushrods have been removed, verified straightness on a glass pane, and all pushrods are the same PN: 1450+45

nm9stheham said
If the head gaskets are Felpro kit gaskets (thicker than stock), and head work was done and the valves 'tipped' (ground on the tips to make them equal length after valve work), and you have that rocker and shaft wear, then you could have enough changes that the wear tolerances could be stacking up and that pushrod could be juuuust a few thousands to short.

This is what I'm beginning to wonder now, there is very little pre-load on a couple of the lifters....