What would cause bent push-rods on 1,7,2,and 8 cylinders on the exhaust side of a 440 and perfectly straight on all the others? 294-530 crower cam and compcams adjustable rockers with the recommended push-rods.
So if I'm reading this correctly Joe it's your exhaust valve push rods at the very front and very back of each head. I'd check that you've got proper oiling going to the rocker arms. If they bind up you'll end up with bent push rods. Pull the rocker arm-rocker shaft assemblies off of both heads and inspect the ends of the rocker shafts for gauling. This could be caused by insufficent clearance of the comp cam rockers to shaft or insufficent oiling.