Thread: Cam for 400

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I don't know how to start a new thread but this is close to my question. I am nearing the wiring installation finish line on my '29 roadster with a SBC 350/700R4/Maverick 8" so I am thinking about my engine break-in. I have filled it with Joe Gibbs break-in oil but it has been over two years since I bolted on the heads. I recall that all the tappets dropped in their bore holes easily except for one. I have adjusted the valves statically with 1.6 ratio roller rockers but I want to play it safe for break in and I will replace the rockers with another set of 1.5 ratio rockers so I will have a chance to look at the tappets and re-oil the pushrods. My plan is to install the 1.5 ratio roller-tip rockers and reset the valves statically along with squirting ZDP oil additive into the lifter holes and the pushrods. My question is how does one get out the tappets? I do not see any way to get the lifter-tappets out. Is there some sort of special hook to pull out the lifter-tappets? If not then I would at least like to spin the tappet-lifters in their bores to check to see if they are free and I think all but maybe one is but I don't want that one tappet-lifter to wipe out the cam lobe under it. I guess you can only spin the lifter at TDC when the rockers are on there but I should be able to spin them with the rockers off? I remember lapping in valves in a flathead '36 Plymouth six with my dad long ago and we used a wooden dowel with a suction cup on the end and spun it between our hands to lap in the valves. Is there some sort of suction cup tool to spin the lifter-tappets in their bore to make sure they are free before startup? A dumb qestion but I don't want to lose the cam.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder