what gives

That is essentially correct, however, each will work just as well with the other type rocker. The later shafts without the banana grooves have a larger oiling hole, so they probably flow just as much as the banana groove shafts. Typical of a large company to figure out how to save money by eliminating a machining step. No banana grooves probably saved a lot of money, while increasing the oiling hole probably cost nothing extra.

And probably can use with either stamped or iron. Think of the money saved there!:burnout: