New motor, loose rocker...

mod5v said

Pull that lifter out. You can pull it thru the distributor hole. Use a magnet to get it out. Check cam lobe and bottom of the lifter. In doing so you will have the pushrod out check that its not bent and the cup is not mushrooming out the tube. also possible to deform the rocker. Thats a aggressive cam and needs lots of spring pressure so.....

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I forgot to add, in preparation for pulling the motor, I already pulled the intake and visually inspected the cam & lifter...both look fine. I also swapped the lifter out with the intake lifter right next to it just to confirm the lifter is not the issue...no dice (measured the same on lash). Push rod is good as well.

Motor is coming out this weekend to replace the rear main seal.