tappets are the metal cylinders that the cam lobes press on to actuate the spring that opens the valve. Sometimes called lifters (though not really in an OHC design), sometimes called cam followers. They lift right out with a magnet once the cam is removed.

I cannot speculate on whether your engine will run or not 'as-is' since you no longer really know where you are with respect to the overall timing. You can try and spin the motor by hand and see if it makes a complete smooth rotation. If it stops rotating easily, then you must stop and remove the cam.

that chain is heaving and once the link has been removed, it'll drop like a stone.

Give me an e-mail address and I can send cam removal FSM pages. but not tonight...keg party is starting.

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)