Continental Engine Lifter Wear

In the past annual we found some small metal particles in the oil fliter of my Cont TSIO 520-UB. At first I was thrown off by the appearance when picked up by a magnet, they looked like long spikes. They were also there on a 2nd oil change 20 hours later.

I asked for help, advice, on this site and got some good ones.
I finally got a chance to have the valve system dismantled by the shop and sure enough, just like most of the advice and the Cont service bulletin, the lifters are worn. The metal is like black flakes of pepper.
Thanks to good fortune or someone, the cam is not worn.

Thus replacing the lifters should allow me a few more years of engine use.

The alternative was a complete overhaul at a custom shop which is $42,000, plus any extras.

This repair should be about $3500, so it is a big relief and also that the engine seems otherwise good and safe to fly to Oshkosh,and knowing the true situation, while not cheap, is much better than worrying about what might be wrong.

Above all, you have to check it out thorougly, the elves don't come in at night and magically fix things.

Thanks for the info all who offerred.