Hi Rick,
I would just take the rocker assembly out. It has to come out anyway. You can inspect each push rod at that time. Be sure like Dave mentioned, to label each rod if you remove them, to insure they are returned to the same location.
Unlike later model hollow push rods where oil flows through the rods to oil the lifters, your rods are solid. Oil is pumped into the rocker shaft and is fed to the rockers that way. You'll see all the holes when you disassemble... oh, and I'd wait on the disassembly till you get the new shaft in and are ready to transfer each piece from the old shaft to the new.
I've recently done this... it's not bad.
Dave made a good point too. When you get the rocker assembly back onto the engine, remove the plugs and check your rocker action by spinning the engine. If there's a stuck valve, your engine won't get damaged again. You'd address the valve problem next.
Good luck
