I developed this
http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/lifters.htmTo test lifters and camshafts as well as break them in prior to use so they could be inspected for wear..
There are no good conventional lifters out there.. Out of the 65 sets that we have tested 50 or so of them have had uneven wear, or signs of going flat.
The problems are numerous and I'm still working to make it all better. Its to the point where EVERY engine we build gets ceramics- No risk taking here.
The lifters you have thatare solid but rattle are web cam solid lifters. That two piece design is the reason we don't fancy them. I am working with another company to make an insert that will go inside the lifter and get rid of the rattles and lash issues that it can cause.
This testing has sucked, after almost 8,000.00 worth of cams, lifters, and prototypes the problems still are not cured. The next step is Billetcams ground with more taper for a higher lifter surface speed, coupled with all components being fully micropolished to a mirror finish to to reduce friction and load points....
Nothing off the shelf is perfect these days with lifters. I have to get this straightened out because I'll starve if we don't! 8 months of backlog does no good if we can't assemble anything!