I guess I should have clarified "certain informants"

I would have to look at the timelines...but I believe it was when Vitale was made underboss (in name only) Massino practically cut him out of the "inner circle" and "out of the know" so I'm not sure how much he really knew.

As far as him traveling to see Vito, and Vito saying that to him, that doesnt mean they werent still kicking up.

But it also would make sense after the murder of their guy they may have stopped.

Either way we are just guessing. Both arguments seem plausible.