So, Sunday I was running around 5200 RPM'S. I heard the starboard engine backfire/pop. I pull the sticks back and hit the kill switches. I turn the engine over and here some ticking under the inside valve cover.

I finally got around to investigating today. It appears I stuck a valve and then my pushrod deflected and broke my Dart adjustable guides. Pushrod is still straight as an arrow. So what came first? The chicken or the egg?

I have been spinning these to 6500 RPM'S for years. Last year I put in me cams and ram them all summer with no issue. Shoot Friday I ran them 50 miles at around 4000 RPM'S.

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How does the burn look?

Damn Jason , second time for this isnt it? Never stuck a valve in a BBC ever, had valvtrain probs when I used Comp cams rockers and polylocks with rocker nuts splitting and backing off but thats it. I have since went to T/D shaft rockers, Smitty

My thoughts are the valve hung in the guide, then the push rod deflected and broke the guide plate. I would not trust that push rod any more. Your cylinder head machinist will tell you better, but I am thinking that since it is an exhaust valve, it is more than possible that water got on that valve, causing it to bend up. I think you were really lucky the valve didn't break off and cause catastrophic damage. While its apart, I would pressure check the exhaust for any leaks. If there are no signs of water, its possible the valve simply hung in the guide.

you gonna hone the bore and see if it has compression, or is bottom end coming apart?

Yes, second time. Original issue was solved by adding water outlets off the back of the intake manifold.
Valako's gong to give me his assessment today after he goes through all of the evidence.

You might be on to something with the water. I think I might have had a intake water leak. Also, it looks like the chambers in the heads have been steam cleaned.

Also, on the valve not breaking. I smacked 3 valves previously during my last bout. The Ferrea's have been holding their own against the pistons. lol

Nope, engine is not coming apart. All the components were laying on top of the head.

On the bright side everything under the intake manifold looks great!

The one piston in the pic looks like the start of detonation as well. Small pits / erosion on the top of the piston.

You are right that several of the chambers look steam cleaned like there was water getting into them, but the #1 chamber does not look that way - and that is the one with the stuck valve. You may have more than one issue going on.

From my screen it looks like major pits near the bottom edge. I'd be looking into that if my sight is correct.

I agree seems always to start at the top edges of the piston(s) then moves downwards. Also looks likes a very mild form of it on another piston. I would also look into timing, fuel, octane, spark plugs and heat causing detonation issues.