440 woes

If that broken rocker is in the 6 hole then that would explain why the exhaust popping stopped. I have no idea why it would have a lot of oil in it though. Under the right circumstances I could see it sucking a little oil if the intake rocker was broke.

How it could run so well...still a mystery.

If you just put it back together and it starts to pop again, I think I would have it shut down instantly. If I was to use the I hope it's OK method I think I would use the old push rod. Then if anything happened you wouldn't have to buy a new one.