Your machinist is definitely on the right track. If a lifter doesn't show signs of wear, I have no problem with re-using it as long as the lobes and lifters stay matched up. That avoids another break-in procedure for new lifters, which accelerates the cam lobe wear. I take a different approach, though- - - -removing the lifters and wrapping a piece of masking tape around each one, then marking the position with a felt tip marker so I can replace it in the right position. Then the cam comes out. I quit trying to fib to myself that ANY machine work can be done without a total cleanup, including pulling oil gallery plugs and cleaning every oil passage with rifle brushes and a pressure washer. There's just too much risk of a tiny piece of debris ruining the whole job without a detailed cleaning. How did your machinist get the hone grit out of the cylinders without a hot water and detergent scrubdown followed by a boiling-water rinse?
Jerry
