i've done something similar. (centered a tree with.72 saito)
it bent pushrod tubes also. luckly saito puts some strong pushrods in their engines. i took my engine apart and bent the tubes back in shape using AE hex tool kit.http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=ASC6980
the shaft is round and is slightly smaller than the inside of the pushrod tubes.
make sure that the pushrod dosent rub against the tube when its back together.
and yes the tapered end fits under the rocker arm.
RECHECK the valve adjustment!!!
mine is still running great.