Interesting. Do you think it is possible that the material around the eyelets on the snap rings adds enough weight that the eyelets are always resting at the bottom of the lifter, since they move freely in their groves?

The only contact is when the eyelets are at the top of the groove when the motor is not running, correct? As the lifter bleeds down, is it possible that the snap rings slide down around in the grooves so the eyelets are at the bottom every time the motor is shut down?

The next question would be: Does the snap ring actually rotate freely while the motor is running? If it actually pretty much stays where it was located once placed in the motor, and those snap rings are properly placed during assembly, what are the odds any actual damage occurs by any contact that may happen? Mopar has used this lifter arrangement for a very long time, it would seem unusual they would continue to use it if there was a problem with it.

it is entirely possible that my ignorance concerning this topic is showing up, but it sort of falls under the heading that if this has been a problem, I would have thought it would have been corrected by now.