A Copy from a post at another forum explains a little lifter history and why you need an additive now:
Here's the deal: At one time, we had 3 US manufactured lifter companies, Stanadine, Rochester and Johnson. Not all of these companies produced lifters for all engines, so you had to purchase from all of them to offer a completed product line.
We, TRW & Sealed Power purchased primarily from Johnson as our main supplier, as well as the others. To fast forward, Rochester (AC-Delco) exited the flat tappet business when the engines went to hydraulic roller and overhead cam designs. Johnson went into bankruptcy in 1999 and the doors were locked by the banks. The equipment and tooling sat and rusted it's self beyond salvage. Stanadine has remained, but does not have the capacity to supply the demand. Enter, off shore lifters

here.
Now, a Chicago based company bought the Johnson name, and has began bringing to market lifters, where they are made I'm not exactly sure.
We use the Stanadine, our Sealed Power (old # VL-37) part number for the standard Chevy hydraulic lifter is HT817. The Hi Rev ( old #VL-66RH) Hydraulic number is HT817R.
Now, beware!

Most ,not all, companies have copied this part number for their brand of lifters, so there is no guarantee that your getting a US SAE standard product. The only way is to get it in the Sealed Power packaging.
Also, Brandon hit on a MAJOR issue and that is, 2 years ago the EPA issued a mandate that all ZINK had to be removed from oils. ZINK is a load carrying property, so it was just a matter of a month or two that our and all of the other automotive companies phones began to ring off the wall with product failures.
To cut to today, be certain to use 1 quart of Lucas Oil Fortifier in place of 1 quart of your oil. They offer this for both Petroleum and Synthetic oils. Be certain to use the proper camshaft lube, and lube the shit out of the entire camshaft and all of the lifters liberally.
As long as the valve train geometry and the valve springs are not to high, and you follow proper breakin procedures, all will be A-OK.