Challenge: Engine Diagnosis

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by captain465

Don't think that a ring of rust would produce a "clunk" at 140 degrees in both directions.

...............agreed

[smurphny]

Originally Posted by perchance

$200? That seems rather spendy for a head gasket. Oh, sorry I forgot it was a boat, never mind.

You can substitute liquid gasket "Permatex" products for many of the gaskets which will perform as well as the overpriced originals or make your own from gasket material. Sometimes you can save the metal frame of exhaust type gaskets and recoat with the right type Permatex. Just save the old ones for patterns if you can get them off. Specialty gaskets for things like injectors can probably be ordered separately. I would even make my own head gasket rather than bend over to the tune of $200.00. Recently paid for a Yanmar head gasket but it wasn't $200.00! Yikes! There is nothing that warrants charging that amount. There's no rocket science in gaskets.

[smurphny]

If it has a pan drain, drain some oil and see if there are metal chips. If a rod has broken there will be some obvious debris. A thin magnet probe might also be helpful down the fill tube if there's no drain plug. With that metallic clunk, sounds to me like a rod is either bent or broken.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by captain465

Don't think that a ring of rust would produce a "clunk" at 140 degrees in both directions.

I believe a rust ring could indeed cause a clunk.

My first car was given to me.
It was a 1948 Pontiac with a flathead 6 engine which had a cracked block.
If I didn't drive it every day, skipping even ONE day, the engine would seize because cylinders 3 and 4 had cracks to the cooling system.
The starter wouldn't budge it at all when the pistons ran into the rust at the cracks.

I got pretty good at taking off the head, hitting the tops of the pistons with a block of wood and a hammer to bust it loose.
Next I'd roll the car down the hill about a half block, pop the clutch in high gear.
After that, I'd reinstall the head, start it up and drive away.

I can't remember how many times I did that, but it was probably in double digits.

[SkiprJohn]

That's a great story Steve. You were definitely a dedicated driver. It reminds me of the old '40 Chrysler that my dad kept around. I used to sneak it out for a drive from time to time. Always had a dead battery and no first gear but I learned to drive pretty well because if I stalled it I was in trouble.
kind regards,

[windsweptms]

Sounds like the motor is hydrolocked

[SabreKai]

You could always spend a few bucks, buy a borescope and start looking inside for the problem. Ebay has a bunch of them, 10mm head diameter that will hook into your laptop.

borescope | eBay

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Martin!
Waszup? Any chance you got that engine pulled on Saturday?
kind regards,

[Celestialsailor]

Hi John...After 6 hours of engine room yoga, Paul and I were able to disconnect everything and this Friday I will pull it. I have a cradle ready to transport it to my shop but will dismantle a few things at the yard in hopes to find "the bolt which has backed off". Suspense mounts!

[DeepFrz]

[senormechanico]

Remember,

[SkiprJohn]

"Engine room yoga." Very apt.

Can't wait 'til Friday! Wish I could help.

[Celestialsailor]

John L :- Be careful...that talk will earn you a plane ticket with biscuit and water for a week!

Steve B :- I get it...I will take pichers when I dismantle it!

[Wishinforwind]

Thinking on your problem. I am going to say. Drum roll ... Your ganna find a extra bolt in the fly wheel or on a pulley on one of the externals ie the alternator or some such. The 180 is the puzzle. 180 tdc/tdb kinda rules out the pistons/valve train. whom ever did this would want to make sure it was not easily seen and a extra bolt in your fly wheel would certainly be easy to miss.

[CharlesFCook]

I think it was the butler in the sitting room

can't wait to find out what happens.....