Reply to "Feeling uneasy about my camshaft selection."

at first glance, a lot of guys use the XE284H in the same application you have and love it, then there are those that want more and those that have particular criticisms. ticking clicking valve noise is one that the XE cams get quite a bit.

assuming 10.3:1 static CR from the 1971 build, the XE284H makes right at 8:1 DCR, that's like a bullseye for max DCR on pump gas so you have good thermal efficiency. the XE274H pushes the DCR calc to 8.33:1, most consider this a little over the limit and would require drastic spark advance concessions but there are some that consider this still in the max tolerable range, IDK but i wouldn't use it as a target.

cam choice can be very subjective and controversial, you'll get opinions based on fact, personal experience, word of mouth, group consensus and just plain uninformed hearsay. many times when i pry i find out that guys knocking whatever cam it is, that rest of their combo doesn't support that cam choice on multiple fronts. i don't see a deal breaker in the XE284H for your application, are there other cams that will work just as good & maybe better, of course but obviously that going to be true no matter what cam you pick

as far as stock rockers i'm not too sure the stamped Ford units will make the lift of the XE284H, you'll need to upgrade to a decent set of bolt down rollers and verify pushrod length. my understanding is that the Scorpion brand generally requires longer than stock pushrods. if you're willing to change directions to avoid rocker & pushrod work, the '505 cam' is a drop in for stock components

FWIW i'd be more concerned with the intake manifold ...