HLA Theory - Power loss

[RX8SE3P]

My theory I discussed with my friend the other day about our engines was this:

If your HLA's are ticking, wouldn't you be losing power since they don't open up the valves fully/correctly due to being semi collapsed etc? My understanding is that they should fill up with oil and once filled, they don't really release the oil inside them (unless a cam lobe is sitting on it all night long, some oil may leak out due to pressure).

The thing I regret whilst rebuilding was not rebuilding the HLA's. Anyone who's opened them right up knows that there's no way to clean them out unless you take them fully apart.

You Thoughts/Opinions?