I just got a sweet '88 300SE with only 80K miles on it. Very shortly after bringing it home it developed quite a lifter tick. I thought no big deal, it has set around most of it's life probably needs a set of lifter elements. Last night I popped the v/c off to find some goof had replaced lifters very recently and forgot to put the ball socket on top of one of the exhaust valves. The noise was the element banging the top of the valve. There is not very much damage to the top of the valve, just a concave impact mark. The keepers look like they are lined up correctly, and the spring retainer is tight and level. My question- I'm very tempted to set the new ball socket on top of the banged up valve and put it back together. The new socket lays level and steady in place.. looks just like the rest of them. At this time- I can see no other need to pull the head and turn this into a big project.
This is a new situation for me, I would welcome some advice.