Re-use of rocker shaft cone/nut ?
 

Is there agreement on reuse versus wholesale replacement of the soft cone washer/nuts that tighten the rocker arm shaft?

Visual inspection and reuse normally.

so if the aluminum surface is smooth reuse?

I know of no aluminum surface involved except for the bore in the cam tower. The bolts and cone nuts are steel. The rocker shafts are steel.

steel...very good. they just seemed very light as i cleaned them

It seems that after many R&Rs a ridge can develope at the fat end of the cones. This can prevent them from completing the wedging action, as it acts like a stop. I've taken to inspecting mine, and where present removing this ridge before reuse.

Walt Fricke