After a recent oil pump failure due to a lifter clip flying off and siezeing the gears in my oil pump,I replaced the lifters and oil pump after I cleaned and went completly through my #'s matching 396-325 engine in my 68 chevelle.Reinstalled everything and the engine is doing great.The only problem was LOTS of ticking and slight clatter.It sounded like the lifters were not pumped up,improper valve lash,etc.This was driving me nuts trying to find the problem.Thought maybe the Crane hyd.lifters I installed were more noisier than my last set.Today I discovered looking inside my (short style)valve covers that ALL of the intake stamped rockers were hitting the tops of the aftermarket chrome valve covers and also the baffles very hard.I cured this by denting recesses (4 on each side including the baffles)for the rockers to clear.Thought I would pass this info along for others to be aware.

Wow, how big a cam are you running? I ran a Crane with .540 lift, and aftermarket stock chrome covers and never had a problem....

I'm not sure dave.This set-up was in the car when I bought it.When I took the motor apart,My focus was to I.D.the problems(and I found them),clean everything,check my bearing ware and clearances,install new parts,retourque everything.I did not I.D. the cam or it's manufacturer.But today I saw all the scoring from rockers rubbing the inner top and baffle.I made thr necessary recesses on a new set of covers and installed them.Now it's quiet as a church mouse.

:thumbsup: