My 440 died yesterday, and I would like to avoid throwing parts at it

Bill, I know I am late to the party, but here is my 2 cents. Even if you check pushrods and find none bent and no evidence of bent valves, I would pull that engine and go through it and freshen it up. How worn do you think the rest of that engine is? Just as worn as the timing set. Like Del said in post 31, the nylon on the cam gear went "somewhere" and we all know where that is. In the oil pan. Small pieces of nylon float. They can and will make their way into the oil pump screen. They will make their way into the pump and things can get ugly from there. Just my personal opinion here Bill, but that engine is ready for an overhaul at the very least. You will save yourself a lot of trouble down the road.