Is there such thing as a good lifter?

I like a good flat tap solid lifter for the street there is less to fall apart and take out an engine. My son likes roller lifters. He said roller lifters dependability have come a long way depending on who you get them from.

My street engine was getting a solid flat tappet

Bakerlite said

I don't subscribe to the worn lifter bore stopping a lifter from pumping up theory for one simple reason.
You don't need very much oil pressure to prime a lifter. In fact you can pump them up by simply submersing them in oil and working the plunger up and down.
I don't think anyone is dumping all their oil pressure out of a lifter bore unless the lifter is missing.

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Putting that oil into the lifter while fighting spring pressure is the issue. If it can bleed between the bore and the lifter easier then entering the lifter cavity you'll have a problem. The stronger the spring pressure the worse it gets.

If the bore size wouldn't matter why would there be a clearance specification from manufactures? Wear on any pressure lubricated part in an engine creates a pressure loss.

One other thing , Soaking your lifters in oil overnight is a thing of the distant past. It is recommended you install them empty and prime the engine while turning it by hand so they preset themselves at the right preload height under pressure.