Yes, you can put it on the top of the rocker too. Any backlash or flex in the rocker assy or slip between pushrod and rocker might reduce accuracy, but i have never tried it to know. If it were me, I'd still use a stock solid lifter pushrod... I imagine the dial indicator ball will not sit reliably on the pushrod oil hole. Yes, pull rocker shaft.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Yes, you could set the indicator on the pushrod side of the rocker if you had a solid lifter installed, but with a hydraulic lifter, you will be fighting valve spring pressure bleeding the lifter down as you rotate the engine, causing inconsistent readings on your indicator. So removing the shaft may be your best option.

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There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

Ah, yes. Lifter bleed down under valve spring pressure is the other reason not to leave the rockers connected. I have never run a hydraulic engine...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988