Its your motor, feel free to a pair of pliers and not the correct wrench if you like.
But I would suggest that you end the idea that you are 'helping out the little guy' when you do not follow accepted standards and practices with respect to something as expensive and potentially dangerous as an automobile engine.
No, you should not sandblast bearing surfaces (aka rocker arms). Its only partially about removing material, but MOSTLY about the finish and the fact that you obliterated a machined, low friction surface for a rough pitted surface that will wear out the rocker shaft much quicker (ZDDP will not save you).
It just plain bad advice and not acceptable unless you are re-machining the surface.
If you do not have a set of mic's then a $20 HF caliper will suffice. It will get you close enough to determine go/go-no on a part.
Just like you.. I'm trying to help the little guy.
What kind of disappointing is that all the 'nice people' are posting encouragement while ignoring damage and just plain bad advice given.
