Well after a nice 20psi boost spike helps most of my oil find a new home all around my engine bay, I begin to pull the motor for a rebuild thinking the worst. I finally was able to get the motor out with the UDP still connected (I do not suggest this way, it was a bitch to get out). Now my problem is getting the crank out. Flexplate keeps spinning the crank LOL. Also I have a stripped bedplate bolt that is holding me back. To give you guys a little bit of an update:

1) Block is still in remarkable shape, no visable signs of the cylinder walls being scored
2) Rod Journals on the crank are the same, no visable signs of any spun rod bearings
3) UDP bolt is rusted on the crank so I need that taken out and cleaned

Hopefully once I get my 1 stripped bedplate bolt out and the one bedplate bolt in that awkward spot right behind the oil filter, I will take the crank out to get cleaned and have the machine shop remove the UDP, oil pump, oil sprocket and flexplate. These are the only pieces I need to finish my build.

After a close, visual inspection I find that all the pistons are in good shape with only a little wear. What broke was the oil expander rings (the very bottom one that looks like this \_/\_/\_/). 2 of the "teeth" were actually missing and I found them in the oil pan. That along with blowing the headgasket is what caused all this. It could have been worse though.

 

agreed... ALOT WORSE

 

thats good news on the pistons and the block. So then really the pistons are good just need rings?

 

So far from what I can tell. Once I finally get the crank out of the old block, I am taking the old block and pistons to get cleaned and inspected just to be on the safe side.

 

Cool. Let us know. If both are good then really you did get lucky. Shows how stronge JE pistons really are.

 

Nice..glad to hear the car is not as bad as anticipated. Sorry I wasnt able to help you out yesterday.

 

Lucky is right.