Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1950 Chevy 216 bent push rods and broken rockers, chevy engine, inition

Question
Hello Brad,
I have a chevy 216 with bent push rods 4 bent pushrods and 2 broken rocker arms. The fleetline had sat for several years and I recently purchased it. I changed oil, got it started, warmed it up and it was running good, no missing, etc. Took it out and it ran smooth. Drove it for 10-15 miles in regular highway traffic (0-45 mph) ran good was real pleased. Took it home parked it, started it again and put it in the garage. Went out next day and it would not start. Previous day it started very eaisly several times. Went through inition and and fuel, everything fine. pulled valve cover and there it was. Two broken rocker arms (one on #1 intake; one on #3 intake) and four bent pushrods (one on #2 Intake; one on #4 Intake; one on #5 Intake and one on #6 Intake). What are some things that you would suspect that caused this? I have just identified this and had seen other info of yours and liked what I had read and wanted to run this by you. Also, can this be fixed without rebuilding the entire engine? Thanks in advance for your time, effort and support.
Gregg

Answer
Gregg, I would have the cylinder head off this beast in a heart beat. I would want to check contact between the valves and the pistons. I would also remove the valve springs and check for bent and sticking valves. A Chevy engine uses timing gears not a chain but it is not unheard of for timing gears to wear thin and break off allowing timing to change but this is a long shot.
Brad