So what holds them in? I was in the process of putting the push rods back in and of course I get to the last ones and I have a hard time getting the push rod to seat. So I wiggle it around and I thought I hear something fall. What could that be? So I get the push rod in and it's a mile away from the adjuster. Somethings not right, so I pull the pushrod out and I can see the roller wheel. Where did the cup go? I fish around with a magnet and find it right next to the dist drive (#2 cyl on a Hemi. #2 intake was the problem). The cup looks mint.

So I figure whatever holds the cup in must have fallen out (when....who knows) and when I pulled the push rods out in the fall the oil on the push rod must have pulled it up. When I tried to put it in it must have knocked the cup out of the lifter body (I never knew they were two piece).

I assume it's a wire ring that hold it in and since it ran all last year without issue, I assume it's probably sitting on the windage tray by now. Since it can't go anywhere with the push rod in, is it OK to use it without the retainer?

Yep the will fall out. I found out cleaning them and compressed air. IIRC its a O-ring around the disc/cup pretty thin maybe a 1/4" thick disc.

They're held in with small orings. FWIW, I think it's a terrible design. The oil tension from the pushrod will pull these out from time to time when you pull a pushrod out. Comp sent me some new orings, but they still didn't fit too well. You won't likely have any problems with them in service, but if you are pulling pushrods out, it can be a problem and you need to watch for this....

MB

Ok thanks Mike. That's Ok if I know what to look for.