Engine build turned nightmare :( update

[Ceeker]

coolant in the pistons? sounds like the head wasn't torque'd down properly or perhaps it was it was cracked, or cracked during driving due to demand? I suppose this sorta thing can happen to the best of us; only so much double checking can be done.

[acolella76]

Damn I'm really sorry to see this. I can definitely sympathize. Glad to see you aren't giving up and didn't destroy the NEW bottom end.

[kalib0y]

geez, this sucks...take a lil break then get back on it in a week

[bbb]

dang thats crazy, keep us posted when u find out exatly what went wrong. and good luck on gettin her back up, car looks clean!

[quikveedb2]

Sorry for your luck man. Take some time off, get back to it when you're in the right frame of mind, and remember that every shitty experience make for a good story later in life. Not to mention that I'm sure you'll learn something from this misfortune.

[Joe G]

damn, that sucks man. Take a break, browse R3v, and soon enough youll be tearing it down and building it bigger and better.

[delatlanta1281]

MMMM not good man. What are the bottom end build specs? What headbolts/ head gasket did you use? With a large stroker, are you sure you got your specs correct? Not calling you out, just wondering. GL, I have tons of spare parts if you need anything.
Rich

[Pl3wA]

LALALALALA i dont want to hear this, im rebuilding my engine

[Raxe]

Damage pics below...

Noooo :( I am a little weary doing a motor build for this exact reason. Have you built a motor before?

I haven't personally, but I'm building it with my father who has built many in the past.

Are you sure the valvetrain is even damaged? In a hydrolock situation they're typically just fine. 99% of the time just the bottom end gets borked. Seeing as your spark plugs didn't blast out of the casting and the one you're holding looks just fine for threading, I would think the valvetrain would be A-Ok, but still inspect it.

Unless that's chunk of valve in it, and not electrode or such.... That would be pretty explanatory then...

See below. :(

MMMM not good man. What are the bottom end build specs? What headbolts/ head gasket did you use? With a large stroker, are you sure you got your specs correct? Not calling you out, just wondering. GL, I have tons of spare parts if you need anything.
Rich

The big bottom end wasn't in the car yet thank God, it's just a stock SETA block. Bolts and all gaskets were Victor Reinz parts. Still no official verdict on the cause of failure, but a little researching leads towards an unsafe amount of clearance between the SETA pistons and the oversized valves + larger cam. Why it ran fine for 100km is a mystery to me though.

[Wh33lhop]

Aww. :( What cam were you using?

[Massimo]

did you check and double check valve to piston clearance?

[HarryPotter]

jeeze man real sorry to see this. one of few built m20's around, can't let it get ya down to much.

[nebulous123]

jesus christ. sorry to hear man. sounds like you have a backup plan. get to it.

[e46s54dr]

How made your over sized valves? Do you have pics of the corresponding cylinders and valves? Do you see any contact marks on the other "un-damaged" cylinders? I ask because usually piston to valve contact will bend the valves and develop a instant misfire. You stated that the engine ran fine up to the damages which leads me to think other wise.

Lastly, did the machine shop install new valve seats into the head? By the photos, there is a possibility that the valve seats somehow someway dislodged from the head causing piston to valve contact.

[kway]

O hai I'm just going to reply after reading the first post. Hydrolocked? probably just got a bad HG or something. Slap a new one in there and drive that bish!


























Just kidding, that sucks. We had an engine fail at the track for piston to valve clearance once, doesn't take much. Ran fine for a bunch of practice sessions then dropped a valve before qualifying. Luckily we thrashed and got it swapped in time. Turned out the pistons were in backwards and no one caught it. Oh well.