Had no intention to respond, because I don't have the answer, but I feel
your pain, sitting there with a torn-down engine, and pondering how to
proceed. So I am chiming in with at least something to help you elicit a
response from those in the know:

Guess you mean pushrods, as the hydraulic tappets (usually referred to as
'lifters') have a very clear orientation: one side rides the camshaft; the
other engages the pushrod. Having said that, in the only 3.8L that I own
(the older, longitudinally mounted version), these are perfectly
symmetrical, and I can't recall any hole on their side. So I suggest you
provide the type and model year of the vehicle. And perhaps a link to a
location where you would post a photograph of the part in question.
Always good strategy, by the way...

the lifter has roller on the cam side but there is an oil hole that can
face either cam or exhaust side. Maybe it doesnt matter. 98 windstar.