I JUST noticed THIS :eek:
 

This is a photo of my Valve train in the SEL. Notice the ABSENCE of rocker retainer springs....
This IS a hydraulic lifter valve train, someone please tell me that they aren't missing at all ...

I don't quite understand what you mean...

The 'rockers' on these engines are only held in by the pressure of the valve spring, pushing up against the cam lobes, and pivoting around the ball end of the hydraulic element.

???

Looks normal to me. What am I missing here?

Other than being a little too oil-free, it looks OK to me. What "rocker retaining springs" are you referring to?

When I removed the cams and rockers and stuff from my donor engine, I had to remove some retaining spring clips from the rocker that attached to the ball stud. (See below photos)
Item number 3 in the first image is the spring location, and the second image shows the variance between engine types.
I took photos of my camshafts when I was diagnosing a noise, and at the time wasn't aware of the springs, then later I was looking at the images again and noticed the absence of the springs.

bump

The springs were no longer used when the M117 engine went to hydraulics in 1976.

That would suggest it was a pre '76 donor and not all parts are interchangeable :confused:

This relates to a camshaft replacement that is upcoming. cams from a 74 Djet, into my K-jet 4.5. I'm swapping the works, cams, towers, ball studs (non-hyd) and valve caps. I will regain my air/exhaust flow, and gain 10-15HP :D