OEM Rocker Arm Side Play

Yeah, I don't even think the factory heads had even stem heights when they were new......as important as it was with non adjustable valve train, but "somehow" they still ran well. lol
Ran well? yes...Unless you had the chance to test that theory. Back in '68 identical twins Jim and Jack Klaton walked into Sherm's Sales and ordered identical red 383 4 speed Coronets. Absolutely identical. They requested they be built sequentially and serial numbered as such. When they were delivered the cars were inspected by the twins and pronounced to be as ordered. A coin was flipped for the choice of cars. After a bit of cruising around town nose to tail making every teenage guy around drool they ran them off just to "see". Jim's car beat jacks by 3 car lengths in a roughly measured quarter mile. They traded lanes and did it again with the same result. Doing what twins do they switched cars and did it again twice with the exact same result. Jim's Coronet was always significantly faster than Jack's. Conclusion? Factory tolerances at the time sucked. Whether it was chamber volume, or deck height, or valve preload, or cam timing no one knew because nobody ever tore down and checked those engines to find out. Hell, at the time we were just kids who didn't have a clue. Now we know better, and strive to make things right that the factory didn't have the time, resources, or will to get right. Yes, both ran well, but one ran much better.