Thanks Pete, there's no way I didn't check the valve lash when I got this engine about a year ago. I owe two more payments on it. Thinking on it some more, I feel I should pull that push rod. I can see where it tried to get past the rocker and made a mark. It's wise to check things if you get that feeling. Is your carb held in place by one grub screw or by two. This one was held by one but had provisions for the second one which I added. I wish I had some easy peazy way to check the pressure tap to see if it actually works. I'm cyphering on it hopefully without harming my brain. I think a simple balloon would show me something.