I took off the head today (and possibly didn't need to)when the engine is turned over the valve pushers are moving in/out so assume there is nothing wrong inside. Then noticed the cap wasn't on the end of the rod - you can see it in the 2nd photo above sitting in the bottom left. So am thinking that it somehow came off and caused the ensuing problems. Can I put it all together again, with a new gasket, and expect it to be fixed?
another shot showing the loose cap
[img:left][Linked Image from i1118.photobucket.com][/img]