Well, the machine shop quoted $400 for labor.
I purchased all my own parts which has ran about $400 as well for valves, springs, retainers, locks, seals, rockers with shafts, freeze plugs and studs. That does not include all of the engine gaskets. I am resealing the engine.

I do not want to go with aftermarket or any other heads as the goal is to keep everything original.

So far, no one been able to answer my question about modifying the head for better valve cover gasket sealing?