yes they are seated.

You definitely have more than just one of us scratching our heads. I recall griff asking what your installed spring height is. Did you ck it? I like many others believe it's the rockers. Lot of screwing around for roller rockers that you'll see no gains in however are nice to have and easier on the valve train however in this case may cause you issues that could potentially be costly if you don't get this resolved. I know it's repeat but you really need to get adjuster pushrods and make sure your roller tip is running on the inner 1/3rd or so of valve stem tip. I understand your priority of your main issue but just don't overlook.

-Ck installed spring height.
-Borrow or purchase another rocker.
-borrow or purchase adjustable pushrods.

Use a black magic marker on valve tip to confirm roller tip/stem match with rotating.

All you can do is rule out one thing at a time and right down everything you do. Process of elimination.

Lifters moving freely in bores so there definitely dropping down to base circle.

I may have missed a post or two however if everything is correct and geometry is spot on then just get the longer studs and be done with it.

getrdunn - why inner third. wouldnt' dead over the center of the valve stem be better ??

installed spring height was very close to 1.88 consistently.
i need to get an adjustable pushrod to finish this up if the stock ones i have coming in are not right.

WELL FOLKS - GOOD NEWS THE WAIT IS OVER.... IT WAS THOSE BRAND NEW ROCKERS !!!!!

I tried some of the CompCam gold alum rockers and got 3 more threads compared to the E.P. brand ... that puts me at about 7 total threads so far. Thats very close to the 1 bolt diameter (minimum) desired .

Also I think I need slightly shorter push rods according to my deminsions with using a caliper and what Mercury told me is supposed to be stock. Around 0.050" too long.

I think that will make the wear pattern on the valve steam just a little closer to the CENTER. New rods should add 1 thread also which will put me at 8 threads. I can live with that. Not the 10-12 some have mentioned but at least it is one full diameter.

THE REASON FOR THE THREAD SHORTAGE WAS The trunnion on these Comp Cam gold rockers was much smaller in diameter than the others that i had purchased.

Also to gain more threads, Comp Cam had threads on the PolyLock nut all the way to the edge on the trunnion side.
Whereas the others didnt have threads for the first 1/8" or so on the bottom end. Wasted space where a couple more threads could be.

I just want to thank everyone who contributed info here.

Bit by bit but that's what it takes sometimes. Never suspected it would actually be the rocker itself. Ya"ll gave a lot of good advice and things to try. And just some general knowledge on a couple things i didnt know. Thanks for stickin with this thread. This is what eventually lead down the path by eliminating so many other things.

I've got numerous things to check in the next day or two.
But looks like the new rockers are going to work.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]554545[/ATTACH]

thats great news,well on your way to buttoning up the engine.

Sounds good.

Since you are the OP and have pent so much time and frustration,could you push whom ever got these for you,to find out who makes these damn things for Engine Pro? Would be possibly good info for someone who may be interested ? Yeh, most here have or get Crane, Scorpion, Comp Cams,or etc well know companies stuff...but, you never know who doesn't.