I recently bought new lifters off of the Internet (twice) and both times the Lifters I received were to long , about 3/16 longer. I don't know the past history of this engine only that two of the lifters were collapsed but pumped up after running a short time. Should I not worry about replacing the lifters ? If I should ,how do I get the correct lifters without knowing what to buy? Can I get shorter push rods ? Help !!
If the lifters are not mixed up and you can put them back on the lobes they came off I'd try to free up the two that are bad. Sit down at your work bench and spread out an old towel. The towel will be helpful to keep any pieces from getting lost. Disassemble one lifter at a time, keeping aware of how it will go back together and use carburetor cleaner or any strong solvent and thoroughly wash all the parts. When reassembled submerge it in oil and try to pump it up by working the plunger with a pushrod. If the face of the lifters look good I would try this as long as you are having trouble sourcing new, correct lifters.
303 - 324 Olds was a famous "rattler'' at idle when poorly serviced with high mileage. It really didn't seem to make much difference in how well they ran, though. Should you decide to try to service or repair them, you'll wish you hadn't. Also, replacing the lifters only is never a good idea on a well used engine.
Tough to get right on an engine with non adjustable rockers especially if the heads have been cut at all. I've done what Fordors has done on a 55 Olds with no problems and used a high detergent oil to keep them from being noisy. Rich is correct on the Smith Bros. I used a drill press on a cleaned lifter to get the correct amount of movement then measured the length between the rocker and filled lifter added the amount of collapse I wanted and had the made. Worker great but wished I had adjustable rockers...
Just in case you don't know...the lifters develop a wear pattern with the cam lobe that they run on. After the engine runs long enough for the first break in, the lifters CANNOT be swapped around onto cam lobes they were not broke in on. If you have them mixed up, it's likely to grind the cam flat and fill the engine with grindings. The same risk pretty much exists for putting new lifters on an old cam. You probably need to grit your teeth, dig deep in your wallet, and replace the cam and lifters as a set. Don't forget to use a good cam break in lube. Not what you want to hear but you might destroy the crankshaft trying to cheap out on lifters.
Actually if you look around, you can maybe find a cam grinder in your area who will touch up your cam and lifters for a lot less than new
check with @Paul as he has used Delta for his cam work and regrinds. he may be able to give you some insight. As said, best to pull that cam now before you waste the rest of the engine from lobe crap
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