Well, I finally got the new pushrods, and I installed them today, replacing the bent one and all the rest. I put it all back together and took it for a spin down the street. No difference. I still have the pinging noise. I also have noticed that while cranking the engine to start it, I hear almost what sounds like air being blown through a small opening somewhere, like it's in one of the cylinders or something. I can hear this same sound when taking off from a stop. Standing by the exhaust pipe while the engine is running, I've noticed that it now has a miss. It used to idle with a really steady hum, now it chugs sorta. My best guess is I have a burned out valve. I really hope I'm not right. Anyone else have anything to throw at this?