No, I havent put one in an ERA, but I still think its a good idea. If you ever watched the
oil pressure gauge after you changed
oil in another vehicle, it doesn't move for a bit until the engine gets going. Whether or not there was
oil there before or not really is not apropo. It's the same situation with an engine that has not been started for months, I'm not sure how much oil is still sitting on the bearings after that amount of time.
As for valve springs, I've often had the same thoughts, but a spring manufacturer will tell you that they should not plastically deform unless they are exposed to great amounts of heat.
AL, not sure what the pound foolish comment was about, but these all aluminum FEs are not cheap and if that's what a guy wants, that's his own prerogative...