> >Just drive the van a bit--the lifter will heal itself.

>Sometimes; but not always...
Wouldn't feel good about going more than a few blocks if the clacking didn't
stop...

They can go bad -- mine did in which case running it it the hope it will pump up will only do more dmage. The adjusting bolts will go, then the rocker arm.  and you have the distinct possibility of damaging a lobe on the cam. But I think you can go for more than a few blocks --  may take a while to pump up  I think you can go miles and miles without doing any more damage -- don't know what the threshold should be though.  Anyway if it don't pump up after a little while of driving -- it probably isn't going to -- figure out which lifeter it is an replace it -- not a big job if you get the spring loaded pushrod tubes.  Charlie.