Lifter preload...more or less?

You have 0.125" of preload? Are you sure about the measured pushrod length? How much came off the heads? The Mancini shim kit come with 0.030,0.015 and 0.010" but its too much to shim in my opinion. I would be buying the shorter pushrods and shimming possibly. Of course adjustable rockers would help too.