360 hydraulic lifter valve lash

I don't think anybody's trying to accuse you of bein an idiot. Lemmie see if I can help. I am pretty good at layman's terms because my mind is pretty simple. lol

Since Chrysler engines have non adjustable valve gear, ALL of the factory specs and clearances are critical. That includes head gasket thickness, pushrod length and any amount that's been milled off the block and heads.

See, when you mill the block and heads of an engine, you're effectively makin the pushrods longer. When material is removed from the block and or head faces, the pushrods actually push on the rockers more than they normally would.

I think you understand that much from talking to you on here though. Lifter preload though is somewhat tricky to understand. As mentioned above, lifter preload is the amount that the pushrod pushes the plunger into the lifter with the cam lobe on the base circle of the particular lifter being measured. You with that so far?

So, milling the heads or block, or running thinner head gaskets makes that lifter preload MORE, or pushes the plunger into the lifter body more. Lifter preload works best between .020-.060"...opinions vary, but that's a generally accepted range. I like preload on my engines on the light side, like .020.

That's why measuring everything is so critical on a Chrysler engine. I even measure it all out if I am using adjustable rockers. It's just the right way to do it. I think what has happened to you is this. Aftermarket cams are ground on a reduced base circle compared to stock. In other words, the lobe on an aftermarket cam is "moved" if you will away from the centerline of the core to open the valve more. That's what reduces the base circle.

If you used stock length pushrods, there is your problem, more than likely. You don't have enough lifter preload, because of the reduced cam base circle. You can solve that a couple of different ways.....or both. With correct length pushrods and or adjustable rockers. I would do both. That will assure correct rocker sweep. I hope I helped more than I confused. This is one time when I really don't think a smartass respose is warranted, so I didn't give one. lol