318 hydraulic lifter preload.
This engine has not been started by me yet.
The heads are torqued with Felpro gaskets. I was under the impression that they are .040, my mistake if they are not. I am considering going with a thinner gasket, but, if the heads are not completely flat I could have sealing issues and they have not been machined. Any warp in the head or block will complicate things.
I have checked clearance at the retainer clip, that's the only reliable place to check preload as far as I know. And, it does not matter if the lifter has oil in it, in fact, I believe it is easier to check preload without oil in it. It's very easy to compress the piston in the lifter without oil, with oil, not so much.
I have a history of mashing the throttle, it will not be babied, what would be the point....