The fulcrum (the stud in the BBC) must be where it places the pallet end on the valve stem tip.
If the rocker's overall length is too short, its pushrod socket will be too far away from the pushrod relief hole.
The stock BBC rocker arms are 1.65" (stud to pallet) and .97" (stud to pushrod) for 1.7:1 ratio. Length of both arms is 2.62".
The stovebolt rocker looks like 3.41".