well things took a turn to the worse.
I pulled all the lifters, pushrods, rockers to inspect everything, replaced things that were questionable adjusted two rocker studs for better alignment, set the rocker preloads again and used the starter to turn it over to make sure all rockers were getting the proper amount of oil. first few rotations i built up oil pressure and then it stopped, oil gauge dropped to zero, no oil to any of the rockers and my mechanical oil gauge reads zero oil pressure as well.
i was really hoping this wasnt a bottom end issue, and I was pretty hopeful when i couldn't really hear anything out of the ordinary using a stethoscope on the oil pan but it looks like ill probably be pulling the engine.
When the heads were installed you said the oil drain back holes didn't line up very well. Wow. What brand gaskets? I would think if you used a reputable gasket company's product then you can safetly assume that the head oil drain back ports aren't in the correct place. IF that is correct, then I definitely feel you could be dealing with geometry issues.
i took a peak and it seems like the oil drain back holes at the front of the heads aren't 100% lined up with the gasket/block, it doesnt seem like it far off but it is noticeable.
the back holes are perfect
update: i took the cam synchro out and started to make a new oil pump priming tool since I can't find my og, when test fitting the new tool i noticed it looks like down in the block where the synchro rides or centers, whatever is wearing down, it looks like its freshly machining a groove into the actual block.
im ty ty now but ill try to snap some pictures of it and the synchro i was using tomorrow.