I was merging onto a highway and when i got to 4k RPMs i heard a "thud" and the car shut off. I got it towed home, was getting no comp. in the few cyls I could check. So I went and pulled the timing cover off, timing chain broke,1 cam gear tooth broke, and 2 crank gear teeth broke. I replaced it hoping the valves would be good, but luck wasn't on my side. I pulled the pass side valve cover off and the pushrods were good. At this point is it worth it to just buy some ported out heads and intake manifold and drive the car till next winter when I could do the block and bottom end or just let her sleep to about summer time and just put in a whole motor?

 

My friend was at the same decision you're at when his timing chain broke, I believe you can get your heads rebuilt and replace the valves for 200 dollars+or- depending on who you talk to I'm sure, but another thing I heard of is when the piston heads collide with the valves it can actually put your connecting rods in a bind and hurt the crank or something *shrugs* but he actually went and spent 9k and went overkill on his motor, 385, 5 angle heads ported polished, bigger valves, 4 bolt mains, zero decked and all that good stuff with a forged lower end.