...Also, you don't need to remove the oil pan, there is a side cover on the engine that can be removed to check the action and condition of your pushrods and lifters.
Jerry
There is, but I'd recommend you start with the valve cover, it's a lot easier to remove and you can see all you need to see.
If it's a particularly nasty engine then you may have some concerns with stuck lifters and could remove the side cover... I wouldn't at first, lifters don't usually stick unless there's water/rust involved.
If you're getting to stuck pistons, valves, and lifters chances are the engine's coming out for a rebuild/replacement.
If you think it'll run mostly as is then stick to the simple and easy stuff for now and see if that does the trick, don't get into it any more than necessary.
Grigg
