Rocker cover system

An internal combustion engine with an overhead valve configuration comprises: a cylinder head having a body and monitoring bosses extending therefrom; an exhaust valve rocker stud including an upper end and a lower threaded end; an intake valve rocker stud including an upper end and a lower threaded end; a head plate fastened to the cylinder head via the exhaust valve rocker stud and the intake valve rocker stud, wherein the lower threaded ends of the exhaust valve rocker stud and the intake valve rocker stud are fastened through apertures in the head plate to the mounting bosses, whereby the mounting bosses space the head plate away from the body of the cylinder head to provide one or more passages between the head plate and the body of the cylinder head; and a cover attached to the head plate such that the cover and the head plate enclose the upper ends of the exhaust valve rocker stud and the intake valve rocker stud.