I've never started a motor without priming first, and seeing oil come out of every rocker. Kind of a pain, but IMO, the only way you know there's oil there. I'd hate to gall a pushrod or rocker/ lifter socket, especially with roller spring pressures because of not using moly.
That's a good point. When I was a kid I built several motors that I fired without the valve covers on, for final adjustment and all. I commonly saw a few of the rockers not get oil for quite a while. Didn't think much about it at the time, but would never do something like that now. Live and learn.
Also, I am a firm believer in electric pump pre-oilers. For boats and planes, I think they are a must. Both sit for generally a month at a time, commonly. It sure is nice to hold a momentary switch and watch the oil pressure hit 50-60 lbs before touching the starter. I don't know why any $50K motor wouldn't come from the builder without one. Even a $2K motor should have one! IMHO.