Mopar supposedly had put a bad batch of the push rods out years ago so when you get a new one I would look elsewhere.
This issue has been a subject of conversation for years. Years ago a bad batch of fuel pump rods were in circulation. Looks like you got one of them. The rod should be hardened. Since then I've checked rods that I've installed by running a file over each end. If I get shavings the rod is bad. Make sure you place a few magnets at the bottom of your pan.
This issue was also a problem with the mechanical cam adjusters. The tips in contact with the pushrods would prematurely wear down. Crane Cam adjusters were the main culprit since they got most of their small parts from off shore.
