I think we found the culprit... looks like it is the center tang from a valve stem seal. I won't know for sure until we pull the valve covers, but breathing easier now (photo of new seal below).
Jeff, I thought about the hacksaw option, but I figured it would just put a bunch of filings into the filter. The engine shop has a kind of oversized can opener that should do the trick... will have him analize the
oil also.
Thanks for all the quick feedback - appreciate it!
(Al, if I only had the bucks and more garage space... )
