The epidemic must be nationwide! I fired up a 350 engine on a run stand a couple of weeks ago, did a 20-minute break-in run on the camshaft, and goosed the throttle one time to clear the plugs. An exhaust valve siezed up in the guide, the piston hit it, and bent the valve and the pushrod. This was after a full workup on the heads, new valves, 3-angle seat job, guides reamed to exact clearance, pocket porting, the works! Must be gremlins!
Jerry