[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by Shiny

That is a major loss.

I remember the striking photos of your beautiful car - you are clearly invested so I hope you can find a way to resurrect the engine.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm starting to build lists and make calls today.

Originally Posted by b-man

Sorry to hear.

How about you give us a refresher on the basics of your build so perhaps we might better evaluate what could have caused the failure ?

What heads, compression ratio, camshaft and etc.

The engine is a 73 455. Factory rods and crank, TRW Pistons. It was originally built by the previous owner and was fresh in the car when I purchased it in April of 98. I changed the top end in 2015.

As cast KRE D-Ports 85 cc, estimated 10.25:1 compression
Comp Hydraulic Roller 232/238/112+4
Lunati lifters
Torker II intake
FiTech EFI

It's backed by a performance upgraded 4l80e, TSP triple disc billet face converter and a Moser 12 bolt.

Originally Posted by ChiefCrazyCanuck

Hey Jason, I'm sorry about your trouble. I know it's hard to be in that spot.

I bought your old heads from you, and can help you being semi close(Oklahoma). Many solutions available.

Yes, I remember those old #62's, I hope they did well for you. I don't know that I have your number anymore, can you send it via DM? Thanks!

Originally Posted by Jay S

That’s a bummer.

I don’t know but that high pitched growl sounds more like it started to locked up a needle bearing on one or more of the roller lifters.

Having a crank bearing fail and driving it home it would make a knock, and the shavings probably wouldn’t be sticking to the magnet like described, many of the filings found would be nonferrous.

That is possible. These lifters have always been loud, so I've somewhat learned to ignore them as they've been checked annually or bi-annually at the least and never never shown signs of having an issue. But it's a known problem area of course.

Originally Posted by PAUL K

Sorry to hear this Jason. Step one take it apart and see what you have. Hopefully things are better than you're thinking.

Thanks Paul. I'm really hoping the crankshaft can be salvaged. That would be beneficial to any build plans and dollars out. Knowing the engine has to come out, I'd be going through everything regardless. I'll likely spec a larger cam and I've wanted to get a set of forged rods in this thing for a long time. I guess now is that time.

Originally Posted by 64speed

Been there done that. Don’t swap to an LS and don’t sell the car.

I'm still looking at all options, but even my wife wants to see the engine get rebuilt instead of any swaps or selling the car.

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

Hate to hear this. How many miles did you have on it? Looks like something definitely ate itself, but maybe it's not a total loss. If it was a lifter or a bearing to have a knock or a tap. Not sure what a growl could be. Initial thought is maybe the oil pump or timing set. Hang in there. I know it can be frustrating. I got pretty adept at pulling my engine apart last year.

I don't know how many miles total the shortblock has on it. The engine was fairly new in 1998 when I purchased it, but I don't know how many miles the previous owner has put on it. He didn't provide receipts or anything, so it was always a big unknown. That said, with my driving of the vehicle, I'd say the engine has somewhere around 30,000-40,000 miles on it. Could be quite a bit more, I know the previous owner daily drove the car.

I would describe the sound as if an accessory bearing failed. That same type of high pitched grinding that is steady and constant. Then magnify it's loudness and intensity by 10. In regards to the oil pump, I put in a new unit from Nitemare performance last year when I had the engine open. Did their pro-pump along with their HD shaft and went with a copper gasket. Checked driveshaft to crankshaft clearances were good and retorqued bolts to 30 ft lbs.

Originally Posted by steve25

I think in you second paragraph here within the revaltion of the valve train clacking noise that goes away you will find the root cause of this distruction.

I have a feeling you are probably on the correct path here. Considering this thing looked great last year when I had it open, I would almost bet that a lifter started to go south and it started taking everything else with it.

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

Sooooo, how was the oil level before and after the drive?

Oil level was good. The engine doesn't consume oil and doesn't leak. I drained a full 6 quarts.

Originally Posted by OCMDGTO

Its just an engine, pull it and get it rebuilt. Try to find a running engine nearby and keep burning gas.

I'm looking, but no much in the Colorado region that I've been able to find as far as running engines. I might just be down for a while.