so i pulled the plugs, they look normal...
pulled the VC and couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. all the rockers are in place and in 1 piece. didn't see a broken spring or anything.
went to a tool rental joint and picked up a borescope. it was hard to tell for sure but there was something different about cyl #1. i'm concerned enough about the differences i saw in #1 compared to the rest that the car went back up on jack-stands. so the plan is to drop the motor again, pull the head and get a good look inside.
i'm sure the exh. cam was kickin'. the noise was nasty
an all too familiar sight.
gotta move the Miracle Grow. shit wreaks of bad karma.