are there any hints i could pick up on that would tell me that my rods are bent? I really dont feel like ripping through all the wires, taking off the valve covers and reseting the timing and find that all my rods are fine! Any help would be appreciated

 

clacking like crazy from the valve covers would be an indication of bent pushrods. you will most likely know without looking if you have a bent one.
jeremy

 

Check for bent push rods like this.
http://www.ls1info.com/article.php?sid=97