[ponyakr]

rocker studs--you can probably get by with the stock 3/8 bottleneck studs up 2 , but no bigger than a ra4 cam w/1.5 rockers. i can say this because thats what i did--with never 1 broken stud. i ran stock rockers w/the cheapest poly locks i could find--at the time i think that was mr. g brand. i don't know if 40 year old rockers & studs will hold up or not--20 year old stuff did. but i feel safe in saying don't try using 40 year old valves--2 many heat cycles. i personally know a local pontiac man who tried 2 get by with original valves & 1 broke, causing extensive damage--& that was at fairly low, supposedly safe rpm. pushrods--i ran stock pushrods with pipe cleaners in the hole--no problems. bought some chrome moly(don't remember the brand) for the cc .525 lift cam i mentioned--stock length with stock rockers. now--with all things considered, here's what i would recommend as get by head tech for a 12 sec bracket car. an as cast 6x, 4x, 5c or similiar head 2 keep comp in the 9's. new ss valves with a common 3 angle valve job. exotic super 5 angle, hi $ jobs won't help much without a full port job. surface the head only enuff 2 make sure its flat. use the cheapest 7/16 studs you can find--new arp's are among the highest. use steel 1.52 roller tip rockers(less wear on valve tips) cc are highest, prw may be cheapest. buy stock replacement pushrods--summit sells em for under $30. put pipe cleaners in the pushrods--they worked for me--1000's of passes. these pushrods will work for a cam up 2 my gbt choice--the spc8 melling ra4. if you insist on a bigger cam that requires stronger springs, then you'd better buy the hi $ pushrods with a restricted hole. they are well over $100, but you can get any length you want. "if you want more go, it'll take more dough!" if your gonna spend more than this on heads, you should probably just try 2 find a good set of ready 2 run heads or go ahead & switch 2 alum. most good used alum i've seen aren't much cheaper than new 1's--& BUYER BEWARE of stripped threads & other damage on used alum--in case you haven't found out yet--not everyone is honest & forthcoming! 1 more thang--since the head bolts may also be 40 years old--new 1's are probably a good idea. i'm sure others on this site would do it different, but thats how i'd do it--& i have no quarrel with anyone who has a different opinion!