I checked across the tops of the valves with a machinist straight edge and feeler gauges, the largest gap is .009, a couple at .006.
I'm pretty sure I will be told that is within spec.
If the stem heights are that close, either the rockers are off (unlikely) or the base circles are different. I've seen that many times, especially on reground cams.
The 273 rockers you have are fine. Just polish the high spots out of the bore and run them. Either way, you need shafts, right?
I can say that since 1980, I've run hydraulic rockers twice. Once on my engine, until I broke one and lost $250.00. The other was 1999. Brand new rockers. Broke on the dyno. I know there are many in use. It just isn't worth it.
Ok three times. The car I now own came with hydraulic rocker. Those were changed out very quickly.
