Chip, did the shop resize the rods? Like Oly says the rods and cap are numbered and go together with the numbers on the same side,and with the piston pin clamp bolt towards the camshaft . Did the shop resize the rods with the caps on wrong? What position where they in when you picked them up?
Your other question about the lifters,yes. they are the same diameter.Perhaps your old lifters are mushroomed from wear and won't fit in easily.
Is this an engine just back from the machine shop with crud in it? Are you sure the shop pulled the plugs at the end of the oil galleys and cleaned them?The lifter bores should have been cleaned at the shop, the crud your cleaning could sneak into the oil galley between the lifter bores and spoil a new engine.
