Jeff, I missed a page of posts. I'm not an expert, but my advice is, if you are using stock stamped steel rockers use the stock rocker nuts. Unless you've made big changes from stock that is all you need. Adjusting to 20 pounds torque sets the preload on a stock engine, You could reset then after you get the engine running by backing off the nut until the lifters clatter then tightening until quiet, but that is a rather messy job even with a rocker cover with the top cut off. You said you changed the cam on your stock engine, you didn't re-valve with longer or shorter valves, or make any other large swings from stock, what you had before you disassembled will work now. You could put in BBC screw-in rocker studs and use a polylock, but I wouldn't Just my opinion, I'm not an expert. I use a piece of 1/8 rod with one end flattened to fit the oil pump and hand drill to pre-oil. Keep it running until oil comes out all the pushrods and you maintain good pressure.
