Why not start the engine and let it run for a minute to get the lifters pressurized, turn it off and yank the covers and rockers and then measure off the push rods? The dial indicator doesn't have enough spring pressure to compress the lifters so they should stay where they are when you check them. Even if they are not pumped up all the way it shouldn't make any difference. It would still start at zero on the base circle and give you an accurate max lift.:cheers:
