On the cam situation aswell, if your cam is goosed putting new lifters in will be ok for a few minutes until the cam turns them into scrap just like the old ones.

Take them out and have a look at them, IF THEY DON'T WANT TO PULL OUT EASILY AND ARE TIGHT THEY ARE KNACKERED AND FORCING THEM OUT WILL ALSO DAMAGE THE BORES THEY SIT IN. If they do come out, look at the bottom, any dishing indicates a worn cam, they should be near on perfectly flat.

On a CVH because they wear from day 1 they should only be changed as a complete cam and lifter set