Economical replacement rocker arm set?

I have been there and wiped a cam by using synthetic oil. They are mostly formated for modern engines with roller cams.
Not really; synthetics like Mobil 1 appeared in the early 70's long before rollers showed up in production engines. I first used it in 1976 and have never wiped out a cam lobe, even in my rally engines. They have been used with flat tappet cams for a long time.

The issue is not synthetic or non-synthetics at all; it is just the level of ZDDP versus the tappet to lobe pressure. If you wipe a cam lobe with synthetic oil, it just did not have the correct level of ZDDP.

The ZDDP levels have been dropped in all the multigrade oil weights 30 and under per EPA mandates for all non-racing oil types. Check out the Mobil 1 chart via the link provided; you will find lower and higher ZDDP levels available and the determining item is generally the oil weight.