Anyone know how long an engine could run with a screw in a cylinder. Cause, Sunday I go to start my 383 up and it ran for about 3 seconds and BAM! Locked up instantly. Anyway, after tearing it down I found #8 intake pushrod severely bent, # pistons cracked and busted all to hell with a screw imbedded into the piston and part imbeded in the cylinder head.

The thing is, the airfilter hasn't been removed by me since before the last time, I drove it. (I drove it about 8 miles or so and parked it)

It looked like a sheetmetal screw or something and I've never used anything like that around that car.

So, surely the motor wouldn't have run with a screw in the cylinder from before. I think my motor may have been sabotaged!

Originally posted by transam77transam:
Anyone know how long an engine could run with a screw in a cylinder. Not very long, since you say you haven't had it apart, see if any screws from the choke or the throttle butterfly's are missing.

I did, I found no screws or bolts missing anywhere, which is why I am womdering how that screw got down the motor.

ark,
I have seen engines run for quite a while with parts sitting in the intake manifold, then have them suddenly come loose. Dropped valves are famous for getting peices everywhere. I am betting it was in the intake and just decided it was time to cause some damage.
Just my opinion,

I had a '56 Chevy 265 than ran about 10 minutes with a nut in #8 cylinder, but that cyl wasn't firing. It made a strange tapping noise and #8 plug had oil and alum powder on it. Upon teardown it had broken the stock cast piston into three pieces but the rings were still holding it together. That's where the missing air cleaner nut was. Doh!

Make any enemies lately??

nissan 2.5 engines have this problem. The power valves come apart and get sucked in. But the screws are so small they only damage the spark plugs. If you are positive you didn't do anything, maybe buy a hood lock???

I guess what I meant to say was can a screw be dropped into the intake and get stuck in the intake runner and stay above the valve for awhile before it decided to drop. I havent wrenched on the thing in weeks, so If I dropped it in, it would have had to have gotten stuck somewhere for several trips (5 or 6). Thing is I would have definately known if I dropped a screw in the intake. I just cant think of anyone who would want do that, either.


Anyway, I was hoping it just busted the piston and I might replace just 1 piston and put it back together, but I checked it out today and the # 8 rod is severely bent, cylinder wall gouged to deep for repair. #8 intake valve bent. #8 pushrod is gone too. The head had minor damage that I think can be repaired and my 383 crank is OK I think, so I may find another block, get a piston and a rod or I've got a 400 block I could use my heads and intake on.

Put a sleeve in it and keep on going !

Man, same thing happened to me at 17 years of age, when I put a 4 bbl on my parents 75 Nova. Well, they ended up 'selling' me the car and making me promise to put a new motor in, I did, an LT1.

Hope you can salvage some of it. As Bill says, sleeve it and go!

I dont think any carburetors use sheet metal screws. At least not any where near the throttle bores. The fact that it was sitting after driving fine, and 3 seconds after firing up the motor it did that makes me think sabotage also. Does your wife wan't to get rid of the thing!? Did you burnout in front of the house lately and make the nieghbor mad?

Not sure what to tell ya, Kevin.

BTW, what part of Arkansas are ya in? I'm over here in Jonesboro. graemlins/waving.gif

If you were in the neighborhood I'd give you a hand or something.

Well, I've made no one mad that I no of. I guess I'll just salvage what I can and see how much I can re-use. But when i get another engine together I'll be real leary, lol.

70_FathomBlueMalibu- I know you even if you don't know me, lol. I've seen you at George Rays before. I live in Imboden.

Well hell, man...we need to hang out! I haven't ran at GR's this year as I've been workin' toooo much to get everything I need done to the car.

I went to the T-n-T in Feb. and the 1st official race of the year. Then I went on July 4th for George's B-day. But, I was a spectator for all of this.

I have several little things that need done, but I'd like to get a few passes in before they shut down for the winter. Have you ran over there?

I work 2nd shift, so the only time I really have, to do anything, is in the morning, so if you need a hand it would have to be then. I work a lot of weekends too. But, tell me if you need a hand. I'm actually in Bono, so I figure Imboden is like 30 min. from here.

Ain't the internet a small place? graemlins/waving.gif

I know a few people at Bono. Its small so you may know em too.

Ive only been to GR's a few times this year. I work alot of weekends myself. Anyway, I think I'll build my 400 short block and use my parts from the 383 on it. I just bought another project a few weeks ago, it needs a motor too. So I guess I gotta get 2 engines together this fall, lol.

I know a few people from Bono. Ive only been to GR's a few times this year. I work alot of weekends myself, know what ya mean. Anyway, I think I'll build my 400 short block and use my parts from the 383 on it. I just bought another project a few weeks ago, it needs a motor too. So I guess I gotta get 2 engines together this fall, lol.

Yes, just like 66 ss said!!

Some SOB opened my hood years ago while I was in class back in Engine School and lifted my 350SS package chrome oil filler tube cap!!!

pdq67

I found a coil nut that had stuck in the piston deck since before I bought the car. (70 402) I wouldn't have noticed anything if I hadn't pulled the heads it ran fine without any noise.