Brent Mills You didn't say when the problem HAPPENS????
As far I know the pushrod spin a like when the motor is running. Shelby said to check the valve clearance with any cam over .550" lift. I read that some cam builder retart the cams when machined for FE motors. I am not an expert on these motors. George Anderson is STILL the man to ask. If your lifterare hydro's and pump up at 5500 rpm the valve could hit the piston and bend the pushrod. I bent enought pushrods in my jeep turning 6000 rpm in a AMC 304, then 360, and ended with a 390 AMX motor. I had valve float and bent the push rods. Went to chromemoly rods and started bending valves. I would go back to the basics, Put the stock rockers and pushrods in the motor and roadtest for 1/2 hour then pull apart and check for damage. The outside of the edge is hitting the rocker. If I had a digital camera I have a set of Dove rockers with this kind of damage. Stock nonadjustable rocker are 1:73 adjustables are 1:76. Can you take a clear picture of the rocker on the bottom side to see. Your .540 cam is at the limit of checking for valve to piston clearance. Brent give me a call and maybe we can firgure it out. 732-254-3536 EST Something is out of whack Rick Lake
I will be up till 1:00 a.m. est