You might want to redo the procedure and check the length of the tool with a set of calipers. I'm not trying to cast doubt on you or your mechanic but stock pushrods are what that application should use.

 

Chris

Won't that just change where the rocker tip rides on the valve stem end?

Thanks

Derek

 

It will change the geometry a little bit. Have you checked the rockers lately to see if they have any marks from contacting the top side of the valve face? Since you haven't cut the heads, changed gaskets and are unlikely to be using a small base cam (would require taller lifters) the stock length pushrods would be a better bet as far as length goes.

If you can find a solid roller lifter to use with the pushrod length checker that would be more ideal than using a hydraulic roller lifter even with the plunger welded.

 

I will pull the rockers on that side to see if there are any marks.

 

I had a ticking problem once near the back of the driver's side and it was driving me crazy. Anyhow, after much fuss and wasted effort, it turned out to be a header leak - not at the gasket, but in the tube to flange weld. I took the header off and found a pin hole leak that was making the noise - spot welded that **** back up and noise was gone.