The camshaft lifters are in the cylinder head on a 152. The least expensive thing to do first of all is to remove the valve cover and check the valve to rocker arm gap, adjust the valves, as it would be refured to. The adjustment bolt is in the top of the lifter and is a simple procedure. The gap is .010 cold .012 hot. To be honest with you it my gut feeling you have a broken intake valve spring, or a burnt intake valve, or the valve could have something under it not allowing it to close.
Chuck M.