Erik & Ron, Thanks for that picture. It is clear that Ron has found something there. I'd like to see a shot of one of those Pontiac rods beside a GMC rod.
As far as oil to solid lifters goes it is a common practice in Studebaker V8s to plug the oil holes in the lifter bores and rely on the free oil slopping around. It forces the oil to go where it is needed. Those engines like to put all the oil into the valve covers.
