Try backing off your valve adjustment until they just touch.  Not try to
start the motor.  I usually do this when I put a motor back together.  Run it
like this for a little while (couple hours at least) until the lifters pump
up.  Then readjust the lifters to One full 360 degree turn.  Should be good
to go after this.  These hydraulic lifters can be tricky.

Bought a van for dirt cheap from a guy last year because he had done the head
gaskets and then couldn't get the motor to run.  All of the push rods were
off center in the lifters.  I loosened everything up, centered the rods,
adjusted her up and she started on the first try.  Ran great for over a year
until I just sold her.
Ken Wilford
Van-Again
John 3:16