a lifter is sideways in its bore. can it happen? took my timing cover off and everything looks fine. crank it up and its still got the noise. cant tell what it is.

 

the lifter can not by itself get sideways, because the lifter holder is designed to prevent it.
I never had one but I think is a colapsed lifter, I think what "they" meant by this is that the seal in the little chek valve in the lifter is no longer "sealing" (they have a fixed "bleeding" rate) and the hat of the lifter simply is bottoming out in its range of adjustment.

 

got it fixed. thanks

 

03` Rc 51 Full Race 131 Rwhp!
WITH THE TORQUE OF THE PLANET!!!!