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.
I'm still at take it for a drive for 15 or 20 miles for a half hour before you pull the motor. I assume it's not leaking that bad? Then you'll have a few miles on it and see if anything's going wrong..
