Can't seem to catch a break

Did you find any lifters that had come apart?

I tossed the old lifters before I took a look at them but I did find a piece of metal in the pan that looked like it could have come from the top area of a lifter just above the retaining wire. If that was so then it might explain how the retaining wire got loose...if it was a lifter plunger retaining wire...which I think it was...makes sense looking at it.