Roma said:
My local dealer said the crank bearing might have started to loosen up and caused the piston to hit the valves. I thought only the 01 had crank issues
It's possible that the main bearings are worn, but they would have to be really worn to allow that degree of piston movement.
Roma said:
I never adjusted the valves once nor did I on my 01. I guess I figured when it became hard to start it would be time.
I'll bet your statement above is probably why it broke a valve.
You can't ignore the service intervals indefintely without paying for it at some point.
It's a 13,500 rpm RACE ENGINE, it's not a John Deere garden tractor.