Yeah I'm having a hard time believing a slipped cam gear would have busted the rod, but other choices seem to be nonexistent... Block is junk, skirt has a crack in it...
I appreciate your condolences and trying to see the best, of course I'm glad he wasn't driving it when it happened the really sad thing is that he has lost his ambition this being a first car for him and the small problems that kept coming up he was worrying would it always be like this....then finally we get the bugs out, he starts driving it and is thrilled only to have the whole motor wipe out before he even has a full month of driving, in his inexperienced view all he see's is constantly breaking down.....hell I can't blame him.
My '74 is my first build as well. I'm only 18 probably not far from your kid. It is a great learning experience for him like my car has been for me. If you want to know what determination is just do what guys on here are doing. Building it all from the ground up takes a toll on everyone. And when something like this happens i dont blame him either. I almost threw in the towel a few times myself. But dont let him. When its all said and done and everything's great again his excitement will go through the roof. Just dont give up. Both of you. I hope to see your ride driving around again soon!
That's a bit tough for your young man, why not just buy a $250 used engine and let him flog the buggary out of it! Big skids and a ton of fun, it'll give him and yourself motivation to save for a perfectly built stroker sometime down the track mate.
Ya I bought my car when I was 17 I'm 19 now and I've had the engine out of the car at least 5 or 6 times now and theirs always times when I wanna give up but the best thing is to keep going and see it through.
I appreciate all the positive input but it's a money thing, if it was just a matter of work hell I'd stay up all night to work on his engine but it's dollars and I had spent ALOT on that build and now don't even have a usable block, I was hoping for that at least but maybe there is a reason for this, every since we got that car it's been a uphill battle, one thing after another....sometimes things happen for a purpose, I don't know I just know right now I'm tired..........G'nite
My work truck/daily driver recently done something very similar to yours. http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/major-set-back-again.100862/ All back together and I am always waiting to hear that sound of money blowing up. Very tensing when I am having to put my foot into it. Past few days I noticed "0" oil pressure at idle. Put a new sender in it and still does it. The slightest increase in RPM's and it goes back to normal. I say buy a used motor and clean it up.
I think I've had my engine in and out 4x for different issues. Had to put in a new transmission, take the heads off and put new push rods and lifters in. Rewire the tail panel cause the brake/ tail light wires failed. Re wire the fuse block, cause half of my fuses failed. And then most recently had a seal fail on the transmission so it was pouring fluid. It sat for more than a month while I tried to save money to get it fixed. It's tough. Its really helped me though just taking breaks when I get overwhelmed. Walking away and watching TV or getting out of the house.
As you may know, I went and bought a complete engine yesterday, it is a 5.0 roller block bored to a 306, I was told it ran great with no problems, (you know how that is) lol, I bought it just for the heads (351w Edelbrock Performer) the rest I wont be needing, I see you are in need of a block, you can have the block and rotating assembly if you want it, only problem I see is getting it to you, I have not pulled the heads as of yet but I will soon, you are more than welcome to it for the drive or shipping I can't guarantee it's any good as it sits but the block should be okay, the engine is clean inside with no sludge build up, where are you located? let me know if you want it and we will go from there to figure out how to get it to you, I don't want to see you give up on this project, my dad taught me as I was growing up and I thank him every time I pick up a tool to use, I would like to see you continue with your son and get that Maverick back on the road!
I'll be in touch via pm, only thing is I'm in Arkansas and I'll have to see what freight would run but I greatly appreciate the offer
Exact same thing that happened on my last 347. Cylinders 4 & 8 share a common crank rod journal, spun the rod bearings, they welded to the crank and broke the rods. Only difference was my rods came out through the oil pan! Same as you I was just idling in the garage while adjusting the carb. I've read of others having the same two rod bearings seize, must be marginal oil flow in that area on these blocks.
