If the lifter pops out, the oil will pump out of the gallery, and starve the rest of the motor. The gauge will show that pressure drop.

The lifter should stay in place, but watch the oil pressure to be certain.

 

ah. so maybe i could plug the lifter bore with something to make sure that doesn't happen. how about a wine bottle cork?...

 

You have to remove the intake to do anything to the lifter. You might as well pull the head and fix the bad valve, if you go that far.

 

hey, it worked! i removed the driver's side valve cover and took off the intake rocker and pushrod. let her warm up and went to the smog station. the guy had to run it a few times, but eventually got a passable reading of 130 ppm for HC. maybe he felt sorry for me and somehow rigged it, but it's done at least and i can fix the real problem (prolly a burnt exhaust valve) when i can afford it. thanx all for your tips and support!

 

Use a vacuum gage to diagnose the problem also.
http://www.users.bigpond.com/ergoff/vac1.htm