Nothing wrong with stroking it. Everything will work. You'll need crank, rods, and pistons.


Followed instruction to the letter... tightened until pushrod barely moved by hand (at right time and stroke) - then tightened 1/4 turn.

I have a bad feeling this is where things went bad. You must have a good feel for this. You don't tighten until the pushrod barely moves, you tighten the rocker very slowly while spinning the pushrod until you feel a slight, VERY SLIGHT, drag on the pushrod. (All you're doing is taking the slack out of the valve train) Then tighten another 1/4-1/2 turn. (Lifter pre-load)

I'm thinking you nearly bottomed out the lifter plunger and then went another 1/4 turn.