The baffles came on my stock 68 HO block, so they do indeed serve a purpose. (You are talking about the metal plates bolted into the heads above the rockers, under the valve covers?)

Some After-market Tall valve covers come with inner ribs that allow for the oil to supposedly drip into the proper place (rockers). You are correct, it is a very tight fit, and my Moroso Tall covers have a permanent dent in the driver side to get that one under the PB assembly. Is there another option? I dunno.