when your looking thru the lifter valley on a big block should the lifters be centered over the cam lobe or off to the side? it appears on mine that one side of the lifter is almost even with the cam lobe and the other side is hanging off so to speak?

That is the way they are supposed to be. That's how the lifters rotate. If they were dead center, they would not rotate and wipe the cam in a few seconds.

thanks bill, im still having this lifter problem and wasnt sure. thanks for the response.