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They are a long aluminum aluminum rocker nut with a setscrew in the center of the top. The setscrew is screwed in until it is against the top of the stud (you have to use studs with good, square tops) and tightened to "lock" the rocker arm and keep it from moving. They have to be locked properly or they won't work.
Crane makes/made a cool deal for standard stamped style rockers called "Kool Nuts". They're a lot like a standard polylock except the top is wider, it forces oil to drip directly down onto the fulcrum ball to help with lubrication.
They are used in place of the lock nuts that came standard that over time will become loose. Polylocks have a set screw that locks the nut in place once they are adjusted correctly. They will not come loose till you loosen the set screw.