I was forced to do an engine swap after having some bottom end issues.

i installed a used motor with 20k miles from a vehicle that had rolled over.

We start the motor after priming it and it runs and idles smooth as butter.

We start to drive home after letting it run for about an hour. Two minutes down the road it locked up on me with no check engine lights... nothing. I try to start it and hear a very loud clack clack clack. I shut it off cause i was afraid i would go through the block.

When trying to start two hours later all i get is a loud clack(sorry if wrong word here). The starter is trying to turn it over but its locked.

I then try to turn it manually with a wrench. It moves freely after only applying minimal initial force on it.

I start it up. Then clack clack clack and the motor sounds significantly quieter like its running at 40%. Much quieter than what i heard after it had locked up. The oil pressure is at 40 PSI.

I take the belt off to check all the accessories and pullies. They are fine.

I turn the engine on without the belt on and it clack clack clack even louder!!!!

Thoughts?

 

we need more information, specifically what engine is in it.

 

sorry its a 99 durango with a 5.9 v8 engine

Thanks for any opinions. If you need more info let me know please

 

Can you describe if it sounds like the bottom end, cylinders, valves please. When it locked up how fast were you going, what rpms, ect. Any indication that it was about to go?

 

Check the oil for metal!

Sounds like a piston?

 

I pulled the valve covers off. The first driver push rod from radiator was bent. I put in another one and checked the rest. Looks good.

I start it up... clack clack clack.

I pull the cover off again. ****... another bent push rod the same one. I pull the spark plug and its smashed in. ****.

I look down the hole and i see different looking metal from the number 3 one next to it.

Well, with no over heating, no loss of oil pressure.... The piston must be shot! Im guessing whatever metal pieces are there aren't letting the valve go down thus giving the push rod no where to go. Something must have dropped into the head or maybe something came loose internally after some time, cause it ran smooooooooth for an hour after install.

Am i right? Any other diagnosis on this. how do i repair? Pull the heads off and see what damage there is?

 

Drop the oil then check the oil and filter for metal and pull the heads.

 

If it is dark colored metal with some rust on it sounds like it could be a valve seat. Remove the head and most likely you are going to need a new head and hope you didn't do anything to the piston or cylinder walls.