Hi Scott,

This is my understanding of why not to reuse lifters.

Apparently they develop a micro wear pattern specific to the cam lobe
they are "broken in" on, so if one uses them on another cam lobe then
there is a real chance of excessive wear to the lifter base and even
worse, to the camshaft lobe itself due to incompatibilities in the micro
wear patterns.

If you don't already know, "breaking in" (AKA, bedding in) is the
process where a pattern of micro wear develops between two rotating
surfaces (examples: pistons and cylinders, brake pads and brake rotors,
lifters and camshaft lobes) and a series of matching micro groves (for
lack of a better word) are worn into the opposing surfaces as all the
high spots are mechanically worn off of the two surfaces producing a
very, very close mechanical fit.

I hope that made sense.

Later
Derek -