I think I might be zeroing in on the cause of the damaged push rod. I was talking to an engine guy today and he said that the rocker nut was either installed with too much slop or it loosened up and allowed the rocker to slip sideways and kick the rod out of its pocket. He said look at the stud and there will probably be some scuffing. Well sure enough there was a couple of large ding in the stud.
So here is the next phase. Have any of you ever removed a rocker stud? He said I just need a nut and a bunch of flat washers to pull the stud out. which is all good but how do I get the new one back it with out dinging it again? Is there any sealer I need to put in there first or how does it lock in place?
