Hydraulic can need adjusting for wear over time. Not much, but a little. Adjusting should remove the valve noise which might held the knock counts if I am getting them. I have not performed a data logging run in a while.
I run Diesel synthetic. It has the level of ZDDP for flat tappet cams. I just don't like the cams. What actually happened was that I installed a sort-of RV cam with stronger springs. I didn't know I needed to keep the stock springs in for the break-in process. I also had the timing way off and no tach. It took effort to keep the engine alive for 20 minutes and I also ran at much higher RPMs then I should have. I believe I killed the cam at that time. Not worth the money and effort to replace the cam and lifters on a 305. I can buy a 350 for just a little more.
I run Diesel synthetic. It has the level of ZDDP for flat tappet cams. I just don't like the cams. What actually happened was that I installed a sort-of RV cam with stronger springs. I didn't know I needed to keep the stock springs in for the break-in process. I also had the timing way off and no tach. It took effort to keep the engine alive for 20 minutes and I also ran at much higher RPMs then I should have. I believe I killed the cam at that time. Not worth the money and effort to replace the cam and lifters on a 305. I can buy a 350 for just a little more.
hydraulic shouldn't ever need adjusting... and I wouldn't blame yourself, reduction of zinc in oil has caused many cams to go flat