Took Apart Top End

[skylar]

Today i just removed my valve cover and took out all my lifters and rocker arms.

I've had a bad lifter tick, it's more of a knock for me, ever since i bought my car.
So, i tried to clean all my lifters, which have the holes placed differently than on the VFAQ tutorial. My lifters have holes on the sides instead of on top.? This was my first time taking apart my engine, and it still works, but the nosie is still there.

I tried to clean the lifters, by first soaking them in a solution, than puting them in oil and pumping them. Anytime i pumped them, i couldn't get the lifters to push any liquid through the hole. I am confused? what else could the knocking sound be, or did i just not clean the lifters good enough?

 

[skylar]

If i were to take off my valve cover, how would i tell if the valve stems heighth is not right?
Also, how would i tell if i have a bad rocker or lifter, what should i look for?