Sorry bro... but your boat has more issues than my ex....

LoL, thanks for you help. I'll get it fingered out.

Now I'm getting somewhere...This morning I took the port side valve cover off first...easiest to remove...here is what I found:

Heads are casting # 12562934 which is a 2000+ rectangle port, open chamber, Gen. VI 502 Marine head...

FIrst visual shows 2 Comp Cams 1.72 roller rockers arms off of their pushrods (#5 Intake & exhaust), No broken springs, 1 severely bent pushrod (#5 Intake), & some cast chunkage in the mix. I won't even look at the starboard side.

I'm pretty sure they work better when connected.

Why would that happen in a fairly mild motor? Over revving with that tiny prop?

The last day we were on the lake...with a pretty full load, I eased it up to about 55mph (checked with GPS app) & it was turning 4800 by the boat's tach...When it self destructed it was a couple hours later with mostly <35mph...UNfortunately I had to "limp" to the closest marina for about 30 minutes...wind picked up and had some "guests" on board.
I'm assuming this calls for an autopsy & rebuild...

Here's what metal pieces I could fish out of the head with a magnet...#5 Exhaust CompCams Rocker arm ball...good grief.

U had a good run. I think the bird just came out the clock.

Man what a beat down . Ive seen a few guys fumble the 305 to 350 vortec crankshaft flip flop , but i dont think i have ever seen or even heard of anybody having the balls to just grab a crank out of the pile and just slapping it in a 502 . Kick that edelbrock carb to the curb and get a holley 800 or 850 double pumper.
Once the rest is uncobbled even kia driving drunk young women will be able to identify the difference in midrange punch between the holley and that edelbrock .
Cant go back and look now but make sure cooler lines arent reversed and what distributor ya got on there?

Yes, do not buy any of those same type rockers when you rebuild. Those rocker arms are known to do that. Oiling / wear / overheating problems between ball and rocker arm.

Thunderbolt iv...talk to me about the cooler lines?