I found a old set of Direct Connection chrome valve covers. Does anybody know if any of the aftermarket rocker arms will work without having to use that valve cover spacer I've been hearing about? If my only option is that spacer, does it require 2 vc gaskets then?

The Direct Connection chrome valve covers may be a little taller than stock? If you look on the Harland Sharp website, I think they indicate their rockers work under stock valve covers with cams limited to around .500" lift. Mine work with stock 69 steel valve covers with a .510/292 cam and previously were fine with a .500/310 cam (that had a little longer duration and was higher reving). Both blocks were decked and heads had been milled .020".

I have run both harland and crane gold under the old style mp covers. They were both 1.5 ratio. I had to ding the splash cover over the vents was all, not a big issue for me.

I have stacked two gaskets per side to gain rocker arm adjuster to rocker covers

These are an older Eddy valve cover. They are a little taller then stock but look close to stock and my Hughes roller tip rockers fit under them. They were chrome but had a few scratches so they worked good for me as I wanted to paint them anyway. Ron

And these are the Hughes roller tip rockers I use. They clear with room to spare. Ron

The old chrome direct connection valve covers [ 40 + years ago ] were taller than the stock covers. The newer aluminum ones [ 20 years ] are not as tall but I run rollers under them also.

You can seal the spacers to the heads with some silicone; works fine on my motor, no leaks.