Quote:

he said all the plugs were installed.if the push rod was short but ad the correct adjustment, could it be possible that the rod doesnt push it down enough to let the oil in the lifter though the oil hole??

If the push rod is too short the lifter will still pump up. It will be ultra noisy though because there will be no preload on the lifter plunger as there should be and there will be play unwanted lash between the components.