Push Rod Help - Advice Needed

[chapdog105]

My 440 broke a push rod. I thought I just needed to adjust the rockers, but when I removed the valve cover I was surprised to find a rod missing.
I found the rod laying near the intake, but couldn't find the top piece. I took a telescoping magnet and fished for the top for a while without any luck. I then dropped the oil and fished the magnet around in the oil pan without luck. I even sifted through the used oil hoping to find it. I then went back to the intake and tried some more. I eventually found it on the other side of the intake, through the other side once I removed the passenger side valve cover.

I feel lucky to have found both pieces, and would like to avoid this happening again if possible.

Anyone else had this happen? Are you guys running one-piece or two-piece push rods? My buddy said his 440 broke a one-piece push rod, so I understand anything can happen.

Also, when the push rod broke it damaged the underside of my rocker, so I have to buy a single replacement.

I either need to replace all 16 push rods with higher quality rods. Or purchase a new two-piece rods and chalk this incident up to another example of shit happening.
Here is what I'm thinking if I replace them all...
http://store.440source.com/Pushrods-for-Adjustable-Rockers-_-RB-8905-long-New/productinfo/105-1008/

What do you guys think?

Here are some pics of what happened...

 

[quikbird]

Look for little aluminum pieces in the area under the valve train. If you find some there is a bigger problem than you think. It is a complete rebuild.

 

[quikbird]

Ps forgot to mention it. Pushrods can be ordered from smith bros. they custom make whatever size you need fast.

 

[quikbird]

this is what the rockers looked like in my engine


the little missing pieces ended up all through the engine and scored the crank etc. It was a complete rebuild. It doesn't take much in the way of missing metal to create this situation. if you see any little bits in the oil, can see them as I mentioned earlier in the head, take a deep breath and do the rebuild. something else will fail soon if you don't.