rocker arm torque specs? pushrod length?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-54-412-11/
Also number 3,2 cylinders header pipes are not getting that warm. All the rest of the header pipes will burn your hand off but these to stay "warm" like you can grab them and not get burnt.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/9308357-post4.html
If the base circle on the new cam was smaller, then the pushrods could be too short ... and if the base circle on the new cam is larger, then the pushrods could be too long. You would have to measure to know for sure.
You state that it is hard to turn over, can you be more descriptive? Have you turned it by hand, and if so, does it get hard then easy then hard, etc.?
Do you have photos of the dents in the rocker stands?


