I'm guessing when you said you were between 3rd and 4th you missed the gear? Looks like a typical case of physical over rev.

 

You're fine, just dab a little oil on the ends after making sure they are clean inside and out...there's probably a little oil sitting next to a valve spring or something. Good luck and glad you found the culprit.

 

well... got everything put back together... car started right up and sounds fine...

 

actually I noticed my number 7 plug was a little loose so i'm thinking that's where i was getting my exhaust leak... tightened that up and i'll see if it's fixed...

and just when i'm starting to feel better, after we've started it up we noticed that the voltage meter in my car is in the yellow... so i suppose my alternator is going out now... and the A/C clutch is making a whirring noise... it never ******* ends...