The idea was to relieve excess oil via the tube but you cannot possibly over oil the rockers so I leave 'em crimped shut when I find 'em like that

As long as oil indeed comes out the tiny hole in the top of the rocker when you rev up the engine you're good to go ~ no oil at all indicates a serious problem you need to address _now_ .

-Nate
There is no problem so difficult it cannot be overcome by generous application of brute force & ignorance