I mentioned last 4 digits of M-6500-R302H lifters I bought. They cost me 261 bucks with delivery and customs fee to Croatia. Bargain, huh? :-(Wait... you ordered all of that but skipped the lifters???? Are lifters [that] expensive where you are?
Pushrods, rockers ... every valvetrain part has some wear and tear, I was cleaning them in winter, one by one. I did not mind to change every part from roller lifter to rocker arm, just to keep it runnin'. Therefore we did not measure too much....
Lifters are noisy, 3 of them 100%. Punching to rocker bolt. But....we are not sure if they are capable to produce knock we hear at idle ..
What I discovered latest this weekend by myself is #2 injector and #2 spark plug pointing to fuel leak which could (or not) be knock reason behind the scenes at the end. See my post before Your reply.
Guys, to be honest, no huge experience with 302 'round here, so we are a little bit tapping in the dark... We have mechanics here that can make racing wonders from junkyard 4/6 euro/japanese straight engines, but when they see US V8 they 'loose confidence'.
As stated above, highly reputable mechanic told me lifters, but he would not put a hand in fire and clearly told me that. But he was looking pretty confident it is not bottom end. I hope he is right for last one .....
That is partly why I am active here, I count on Your experience and directions ..