seems like the engines are too hard on you my friend lol
id go nuts if i had to replace it for the 3rd time

It gets easier everytime I pull them. One thing I noticed, its much easier to pull exhaust manifolds and the heads off. Makes it much easier to get to bolts down on the backside of the engine.

Anyway, got the engine out a few hours ago. Been pulling other things off it, inspecting things here and there...

Here it is on the stand...


A better view of the hole...



The bottom of the engine...



And the pieces that were found in the oil pan...

The rod bearings on the right are from another engine. That is the way they are suppose to look as opposed to the ones on the left. How they got bent like that, I have no idea?


This is whats left of the connecting rod cap. Both bolts were broken. The little bolt head in the middle of the picture confused me for a minute. Where did that one come from? After flipping the engine over, I noticed the oil scavenge tube was missing a bolt, but the other half of it was still in the block. So, now this gives me a theory of what happened, but I'm still looking into it.





So, who'* still okay with me taking their car around the block??

Sure, if I wanted an excuse to do an engine swap...

You could take mine around the block but you'd have to push it!

Have you got another engine lined up yet?

damn they all cracked like a cookie!
you should make a mold and cast that block out everytime it breaks :P

Why do I have a hard time with posting youtube videos????

Nevermind, I figured it out.


[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffxjEj8gnQI[/YT]

Well done Mike. Had you or were you currently on the pedal? Once something let'* go there could be any type of damage in the bottom end and there'* a tough time telling if the pick up magically broke a bolt before hand. I figure you would have seen the oil pressure tank if the pick up had come off.

BTW, that looks like the front bank, far cylinder.. #5 isn't it?

In looking at the valley, my first thought would be to put some of the blame on the layer of crude in there. How often do you do oil changes?

Ok so we got engine killer Mike and tranny killer Steve. Who'* next in line for becoming an infamous killer of parts?

But dang that'* pretty bad, sounds about like what happened to our race motor except that was a big block Chevy motor that put a rod through the side LOL

Oh yea, If I gander correctly, I'd say I was pushing 3500RPM when she let loose.

Yup, #5.

Not sure if your really seeing crud Bill, but I did do some gasket scraping etc with the heads on top of the block. Thus why you might be seeing crap in the valley.

I pulled all the valves out, paying particular attention to #5. No binding or anything while pulling them out and rotating them.

Got out of work late tonight, had to beat feat up to the j/y to scout for possible donors. Found 3 */C'd engines. DAMN IT! Found about a dozen decent L36'*. Found a 99 B-ville with a 136000 miles on it. Pickings are large and plentiful as always.

I'm just wondering what would be easier, drop the hole subframe with engine and trans in it and work out in the open or just tackle it while its still in the car.

Crud as in dirty dark colored valley. Your valley appears that oil changes were further apart than the motor wanted vs the dirt in the oil.



Here'* what I kinda expected. And yet looking at some of my pics. It might be a flash/non flash difference causing it to look dirty.


Another little trick that most don't realize. L26 engines can be had super cheap at the moment (aka no pulling at most yards). Buddy just picked one up for $300 with 58K on it.