Bent Pushrods on a rebuilt 318

Of course it's self-inflicted. That's the beauty of doing things yourself lol.
You have a good attitude. I find it always easier to forgive me own mistakes versus those made by others..... funny how that works LOL.
For your lift range, the stock stamped rockers can be made to work but are on the limit of their use IMHO. With a faster ramp cam like the XE's, there is more force on the rockers so that is another factor.