Why can't you get them out the top? They're installed through the side cover and would come out the same way. You can't remove the cam without first removing them, unless you have the engine upside-down, but then the lifters would fall out anyway.
I meant pull out all of the lifters, one at a time, and thoroughly clean both the lifters and the bores.
I meant pull out all of the lifters, one at a time, and thoroughly clean both the lifters and the bores.