Checking for Pushrod length

Okay good.

But as I'm turning the motor over with what I think is a good pushrod length I'm noticing that the wear pattern on the valve is closer to the valley of the motor, indicating the pushrods are too short. Would this be due to me improperly measuring or that the lifters just aren't pumping up?

Was writing as you were posting. So to accurately check for geometry I'll have to install a checking spring? Because I don't currently have one is there any way I can measure at full lift?