I recently rebuilt this engine with custom ross pistons and an s52 crank to make a 3.0 stroker. I drove the car about 50-75 miles before this incident happened and I am trying to figure out what, how and why it did. Here is a summary of what happened.
I had gone about 10-15 miles and everything was going great. Then all of a sudden as I'm merging to the highway exit I felt as if I had no throttle. I downshifted and I felt the usual engine braking before I tested the throttle again and still, nothing. I couldn't tell what was happening so I moved to the shoulder and coasted to a stop. I initially thought it was a clutch or something but that obviously wasn't it as I could still shift gears. I didn't hear any pop or noises like metal contacting metal. It was then that I realized the car was not running. I tried starting it only to hear a buzz coming from the starter, but no engagement. The engine was not cranking. I popped the hood to see liquid dripping out under the car and some fluid on the top of the valve cover that looked like it had sprayed out from near the firewall. I touched the fluid leaking underneath to see oil and coolant. Long story short I got a tow back home until I could look at it in the daylight.
--After I had some time to look at it I check the oil. It is slightly dirty, but not cottage-cheesy which tells me coolant did not mix with the oil, so HG should be ok. There were no visible leaks or problems. Next up was the timing belt. I found a couple bits of what looked like belt and feared the worst. So I pulled off the timing cover. Here is where it gets weird.
--The belt is still intact and tensioned. It was a new belt and new tensioner installed during the rebuild, but it looks like it has come off track somehow. The right side must be where the belt shavings came from.
--I then checked the valve cover to find no broken rockers. Retaining Pin still in place, too.
--No broken rockers. I would expect atleast one broken rocker at 3000 rpm. I need to pull the fan to check the timing belt did not shred, but why would it strip the belt?
--I believe I found the coolant leak out the back of the head. But how the hell would the belt get off track to begin with? and then what the hell happened when I was driving-about 75 mph,or 3000 rpm?
Keep in mind I have stroker pistons with large valve reliefs. Could that possibly have saved my head? (intake: 0.22 in clearance and exhaust: 0.175 in clearance)
Here are pictures.
I had gone about 10-15 miles and everything was going great. Then all of a sudden as I'm merging to the highway exit I felt as if I had no throttle. I downshifted and I felt the usual engine braking before I tested the throttle again and still, nothing. I couldn't tell what was happening so I moved to the shoulder and coasted to a stop. I initially thought it was a clutch or something but that obviously wasn't it as I could still shift gears. I didn't hear any pop or noises like metal contacting metal. It was then that I realized the car was not running. I tried starting it only to hear a buzz coming from the starter, but no engagement. The engine was not cranking. I popped the hood to see liquid dripping out under the car and some fluid on the top of the valve cover that looked like it had sprayed out from near the firewall. I touched the fluid leaking underneath to see oil and coolant. Long story short I got a tow back home until I could look at it in the daylight.
--After I had some time to look at it I check the oil. It is slightly dirty, but not cottage-cheesy which tells me coolant did not mix with the oil, so HG should be ok. There were no visible leaks or problems. Next up was the timing belt. I found a couple bits of what looked like belt and feared the worst. So I pulled off the timing cover. Here is where it gets weird.
--The belt is still intact and tensioned. It was a new belt and new tensioner installed during the rebuild, but it looks like it has come off track somehow. The right side must be where the belt shavings came from.
--I then checked the valve cover to find no broken rockers. Retaining Pin still in place, too.
--No broken rockers. I would expect atleast one broken rocker at 3000 rpm. I need to pull the fan to check the timing belt did not shred, but why would it strip the belt?
--I believe I found the coolant leak out the back of the head. But how the hell would the belt get off track to begin with? and then what the hell happened when I was driving-about 75 mph,or 3000 rpm?
Keep in mind I have stroker pistons with large valve reliefs. Could that possibly have saved my head? (intake: 0.22 in clearance and exhaust: 0.175 in clearance)
Here are pictures.
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