My bother lives in San Antonio, Texas, I live in Houston.
He's installing alum roller rockers on a non-roller 305 TBI with some help from a buddy.
He calls me and asked if it can be done cold because he just doesn't want to get oil all over the place (he's watched me do this with the engine running.) The buddy tells him get all the play out and add a 1/2 turn, I said no that'll ruin the lifters and who know what else.
I've never done them cold and never giving it any thought, but I'm pretty sure that if there's no oil in the lifter, and the cam is on the heel, zero lash and a 1/2" is the correct procedure.
What bothers him is that if he pushes down on the pushrod end of the rocker the lifter collapses and the other end of the rocker comes off end of the valve stem. I said that's normal because the lifters need to pump up, just make sure that none of the rockers are off before starting the engine.
So I'm I right?

 

I've done it a couple a times "cold". Never had a problem. You have the right procedure. Just make sure there is zero lash and then tighten the rocker arm until there is no play on the push rod then tighten with a 1/2 turn

 

Thanks - RJG