A Little Scoring #2 Rod
 

As I started to pull the wiring harness off my old engine to put on my replacement, I think I found the problem. Looking in the inspection hole for the #2 rod I can clearly see some scoring on the surface:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01/rod21414994911.jpg

I don't think that I'll be rebuilding that one, but it will make a good practice engine for the IMSB and chain guides. :D

That's a lot of scoring! The rod bearing is melted onto the crankshaft, classic rod bolt breakage, too.

I'm still thinking wiring harness. I can see it's unplugged, just like you suspected.

If Flex Seal can stop a boat with a screen door for a bottom from sinking, it may just fix this too. Beat that inside part back inside, pour in some Slick-50, and seal that hole. Just like some toothpaste is supposed to re-grow tooth enamel, your engine can self-heal and grow a new rod.

It should buff out with a little elbow grease!

I think you should clean up the edges on the inspection hole. They look a little rough.

+1

Downshift over-rev?

You hooked me there. I was thinking "there's an inspection hole? I don't recall seeing that." Then I realized what I was looking at. Day-um.

I was going to joke that you might be able to save that knock sensor but it would appear that even that is a bit beat up.

As a serious comment. The rod are fractured/split the end appears to be semi polished, meaning your rod bolt were coming loose. Was there any knock or other noise before the failure? Just curious.

I'm wondering how far that car traveled with the rod bearing stuck to the crank. That had to sound awful.

Did they just install rear speakers and keep going?

JB Weld should fix it right up! :)

Porsche M96 oem rod bolts. Accept a substitute! :cool:

Unfortunately I don't know any history of the car. I got it as salvage and it already had the problem. I expect that I made it a little bit worse when I ran it twice for about 30 seconds. It actually ran on 5 cylinders until I quit giving it gas. Lots of smoke and an expensive sounding rattle.

I'll post some followup pics here later this week when I open it further. I'm curious about the crank and head.

Timco: I thought about Flex Seal and Slick-50, but I'll probably just spray some triple expanding foam inside to stop things from rattling, then sell it as 'rebuilt' on Craigslist.