[xeroinfinity]

Yes the holes in the lifters should point to each other, in the middle.
I realy dont think it matters to much. Ive seen them both ways, but I always turn them(the holes) to face each other.

Yeah those exhaust bolts in the back are a PITA !
Last year I done the heads on my GA GT and I installed SS headers. I bolted them up snug before installing the heads, made it easier but still a bear to tighten all the way, but worth the trouble IMO.