[Jack21]

When I built my engine, the machinist strongly recommended steel rockers for the street. Using CompCams pro-magnum steel. They're trouble free, and last forever. Price about the same as aluminum ($250).

Actually, Comp advises returning steel rockers to factory when engine is apart for valve grind or rebuild. They replace the trunions and roller tips for a nominal fee and then they do literally last forever.

Used standard 1.6 ratio. Hydraulic roller cam gives all the lift the engine needs. For a wimpy cam with not enough lift to start with, the 1.7's make sense. Do, however, use the larger rocker stud.

Heads. Take a long look at Rouch iron heads, TFS Street TW, AR 165, or even Edelbrock aluminum heads. Nix the stock heads for a variety of reasons, and you can do a lot better than the GT-40's for the same money.

Also like the idea of drilling & tapping the block for 1/2" 351W head bolts. Blown head gaskets are rarely a problem with 351W's, and a constant problem with 302's. Also, use ARP bolts on heads, and rods, and studs on the mains.