Thought I would start a thread here for our most recent blown engine... My nephew got stuck in the snow, revved it up to about 4K in an attempt to get out (I know.. He's 21) and the truck just stopped. The fuel filter was empty and there was some top end noises. They dragged him home on the trailer and here is what we found:

About four quarts of antifreeze in the oil. No water on top of the head, but a few loose rockers and one missing pushrod. No holes or dents in the pan, and nothing coming through the block.

We are going to pull it tonight and see what we find.

Well, it looks like we got water in #7 and hydrolocked. That in turn did something to break two pushrods in two places and the valves hit the piston. Finished off the top and spun her over to look at the bottom.

Pan and filter full of metal and the ear from a rod cap and rod nut were by the oil pan rail by the filter. The rest of the rod cap was flattened and distorted but still nutted on one side. I got the cap off, but the rod is stretched out and I can't get the piston out the top. So, I left it and I'll let my machine shop deal with it. The piston looks pretty bad in the hole and is cracked. I think if I can get it out, it will probably dang near fall apart.

I considered hitting it with a cutoff tool, but I was tired and I wasn't sure how hard a stock rod was.

I'll take a WAG and say it was a mid 80's SBC??

I'm not sure. The rods were stamped (like numbered for removal and installation), but the bearings throughout the motor were standard. The pistons were standard too. Maybe somebody took it apart and reconditioned the rods and honed it out?

Did the factory stamp the rods? Took a nice nick out of the lower part of the cylinder. I'll be sure to get the numbers tonight - and hopefully some pictures.

Jeff,
I just noticed that you are from Wichita, Ks.. Are you part of the W.A.C.O.'s?? or should I say the wichita area chevelle owners....I live on the East side by raytheon...

Yes, I'm a WACO :D I wouldn't call myself an active member of the club, but I do tend to show up at some of their events and a few of their meetings. Seems like everytime I get to really going to events, my cars break down or I get involved in something - last time it was a second job to pay off some bills graemlins/sad.gif

I don't live in a van, but I do live down by the river(15th and Amidon) and I work down south (47th and Broadway area). I'm on the hunt for a local and cheap SBC, so if you see one give me a holler - please! We seem to take stuff apart on a regular basis. We're getting ready to pull the frame on my 65 hardtop and make a drag car. It will be built of mostly spare stuff. If you want to join us drop me a line... or give me a call here at work. 554-5748. 7 to 4 ish.

I grew up in Valley Center. Got a call in to some friends on your behalf. Sorry about your luck!

Well, just returned from the machine shop. Cylinder is cracked and the thrust surface is chewed up (I didn't even look at it, I was so happy with the rod journal not being chewed). We have another block, so I guess it goes to the newphew...

Thanks Lamonte... I think everybody I know is watching for a dirt cheap SBC. I used to buy them all the time for $150/$200, but they have all seemed to dry up (or blow up :D )

Only a few more years of poor for me to suffer through until the wife goes back to work graemlins/hurray.gif

I know of a fully rebuilt-but-been-sitting-a-while-and-never-run 283 you could probably get for about $450. I have the casting numbers and such at home, I think it's an older one, '58 or '59 or so. Let me know if it would be of any help to you.

As sad as it seems Rich, that's about twice as much as I've got to work with on this particular deal. I guess I could sell something, but then I wouldn't have it. :D

Jeff,
I have a 4 bolt 350 setting in the shed that needs rebuilt. The engine has about 130k on it when I pulled it out of a 76 chevy pick up. I know the entire history of the engine because it came out of my fathers pickup he purchased new in 76. I'm looking to trade for a good big block core....If your interested...