1JZ lifter won't go back in to place

[GotBoost2JZ]

I tore my 1JZ down to inspect it and replace all worn parts and gaskets. The norm. Today I'm re-installing the head and I get all the lifters in except for one. I finally got it in a little but it had no movement and was even harder to get out. I thought perhaps it was a bad lifter (even though they al came out fine) but it looks fine. I tried other lifters and they wouldnt go in either. The initial lifter that I couldn't get it went in fine around other valves.

What gives?

 

[Suprapowaz!(2)]

Did you try to persuade it with a little love lube? You might have to talk dirty to her. Ever try that?
Did you take them out and install them in the same order?
I would continue to try other lifters to see if one will drop in.
Does that same lifter give you problems in other locations?

 

[GotBoost2JZ]

Ha, I did not try dirty talk but they are all very lubed up. Problem is it wont slide in (she said). I did get it in all the way at one point but there was no play or movement at all like the others. I'm very hesitant to finish the engine and run it with such tight clearances.

 

[Suprapowaz!(2)]

Did you try to switch that one with all of the other 23? There has to be one that fits.

 

[GotBoost2JZ]

I did. The one that wouldnt go in went in perfectly fine to 5 others. I also did it the other way around and tried 5 different lifters in that one location and none went in

 

[hvyman]

If your putting them in in random order prolly going to be play musicale chairs for a while.

 

[Suprapowaz!(2)]

If you've only tried five others then there's another 18 you can try.

 

[GotBoost2JZ]

If your putting them in in random order prolly going to be play musicale chairs for a while.

Theyre not in random order, theyre all in the same place that they were removed from