I soked lifters overnight in motor oil before installation.
there are two piston tops that made contact with the valve. Camshaft is sheared in at least 2 spots, the main section is now stuck in the block. It will spin but the bearing is shredded next to a shear point and holding it in for the moment. All told 4 bent,twisted or broken rods. 4 fragged pistons. 4 lifters in pieces( two of them were away from the cam fractures) 1 bent pushrod. crank rod journals are mauled. Long story short, we be buildin us another motor!

I was able to study what was left of the good pistons. There was the typical carbonization within the chamber. The skirts showed very little wear with no signs of dry start, overheating or igniton issues.
The lifter bodies showed also very little wear. my question about the lifter fatigue.......if it were a bad assembly, wouldn't the pushrods bend? Why didn't they go before the lifters fractured?

I really appreciate the MadMax's thoughts on the fatigue chain reaction. This is something I will really make sure to pay close attention to on the next build. I would love to be able to say it is 100% manufacturer defect, but I know in reality it may have baan something very little. pics soon for those interested.
Chris