setting up valve train problems

[Ieatcamaros]

Glad to see you are on your way to completion of your first rebuild. Your firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. FWIW, any comp cams p/n that has the number 31 at the beginning has this firing order. If it has the number 35 at the beginnning then it has the "HO" or 351w firing order. Are you sure you have your cam and crank gears lined up correctly? If you roll the motor over some more does the #5 exhaust lifter start to go down? As for the pushrods, I like to have both lifters down. Then tighten until I can feel the resistance between my fingers. Then tighten one half turn. Some people just rotate until both valves are closed and then tighten the bolts/studs to the 30ft./lbs. Don't quote me on the torque spec. Did you prime your lifters before you put them in?