OK. Broke it down today. PS was making no noise but I found #2 push rod bent and #1 rocker broken. So, I'm going to replace all the lifters, push rods, and rockers. Down till parts arrive. LA Poop!

How do you get a bent push rod and a broken rocker from sitting all winter? Did you spank the car before putting it away?

I don't know what happened but I had thought the banging and clanging started after I had backed the car out of the garage. I had convinced myself it was there all along. My guess is the rocker was nearly broken when I parked it last winter. When I started it up the rocker let go and got under the rocker beside it and caused the bent push rod. What this has to do with a bad lifter on the other side I don't know. I'm just glad it happened when and where it did. The cam looks fine. Parts should be here early this week and hopefully back up and running later in the week. Just part of owning old cars.

The last time I put new lifters on a used cam, I wiped out two lobes on the cam. Lobes and lifters have wear patterns that match. I'm sure some will say don't worry about it, but it bit me.

I talked to Hughes about it, the recommended using their new lifters and go through the break in procedure again. I have break in oil too and an extra filter for a regular OC later. They think this will be my best bet. Hope so.

My first course of action would still be to pull the soft lifter apart, clean all the parts, reassemble, pump it back up, and if that went well, reinstall it.
Then replace the broken rocker/pushrod stuff as req'd.

What rockers and pushrods were/are you using?

That's what I did. I didn't want to go through the break in again. The rockers and pushrods were stock, new ones are sealed power from summit. I have all that stuff done but I'm having problems with my back and knees so I'm waiting for help to put the iron intake back on. After working 12 hrs I don't much want to work on it. I'll get it though.

Agreed, I would try to reuse the offending lifter to avoid a rebreakin procedure. As you said I would clean it & then see how it acts & if you have another lifter even a used one with the same innards you could change out some inner parts tho I would try to keep the same main plunger as those clearances are very tight & see how it goes & even later change the plunger if need be. compare the innards of the bad and a good lifter to see if anything looks damaged. I wish you a speedy recovery & post the outcome when the time comes.

OK. I know it's been a long time coming but here's the scoop. After contacting Hughes Engines I decided on new lifters and a new break in. But, I was afraid of their lifters so at the recommendation of a mechanic friend I bought Comp Cams Pro Magnum lifters. That was a mistake and I'll get back to why. I changed the lifters, pushrods, and rockers, Did a break in, and while the car ran great, it had no lope. After calling Hughes again I learned that the lifters I bought were Comps version of a Rhoads lifter and they don't pump up until higher RPMs. So, I ordered the 5001 lifters recommended by Hughes and tore everything back down and did another break in. The end result is I now have what I had before the broken rocker and I'm happy.
OK, here's what I think happened. I broke a stock rocker due to being 42 yrs old and not liking high lift springs. While I'm a good mechanic I lack experience and took what I thought was the high road and way over thought things. None of what I did was wrong but some was unnecessary. However, I've learned a lot and had a lot of fun doing my own wrenching. All said and done, I'm a happy camper. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Comp Cam pro magnums require an adjustable valve train. You have to preload them slightly. Either way on your deal they were not correct and I am happy you have found your happy spot. Todd

At this point, since the motor is all back together and running, you should pull the soft lifter apart and see if you can figure out why it wouldn't pump up.

Might be a learning experience for next time.

Yes, the adjustable rockers was part of it too. I forgot that. Thanks.

I did break it down but found nothing wrong. I don't know why it never pumped up. It was not where I had the broken rocker. The flat lifter was on #5 and the broken rocker was on #2. I think I just way over thought stuff. That's where experience comes in. I'm getting there.