Catastrophic engine failure

[slickwillie2]

Finally figured out why my Midget Mark I's engine locked up last September. Ouch! No warning, it was running wonderfully, no knock. Metal fatigue in my 948 engine block? Time to do a "Grapes of Wrath" freshening on the locked up 1098 engine I have in the garage and drop it in. These cars are so much fun when they work but I might be ready for a Miata. What to do?

Second picture is the 62 Midget waiting for the tow truck.

 

[AN5Sprite]

1. Buy a known-to-run 1275, drop that in.
2. Buy a Miata, but keep the Midget too.

That's what I'd do.

Thinking about it more, you should be able to find a free, running 948 if you look hard enough.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Got one That came out of Bugsy II, turns over freely that was a runner when Bugsy II was taken apart in 1982 plus what receipts say is a rebuilt Smoothcase that needs a home. Not free but funds go towards restoration project Ali g with a valve job for my 1275.

 

[smaceng]

What was the failure in your engine block?

 

[Gerard]

I've never seen one break that way. Are you sure it wasn't hit by a loose rod or a broken crank?. 948 blocks can often be found free or very cheap. I used to have several, I think down to one now. I have a 1098 that's been machined to take a 1275 head, but otherwise, only hanging on to 1275 cores.

 

[slickwillie2]

Yes, the entire episode is strange. I don't think a rod went through the block. There would have been oil and smoke everywhere and there wasn't. I think a broken crank would have kept running. This came out of nowhere. The car was running well then all of a sudden locked up. I think I will take a little time and consider my options. I have a locked up 1098 CG engine but if I have to put money and work into it I might as well get a 1275 engine. Or if I take my time perhaps a running 948 long block. I had a ported and polished 1098 head on the 948 and was pleased with it.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Willie you could pick up that spare 948 I have that is taking up space under my worktable. Was running when removed from Bugsy II in 1984. Turns over freely. This is a later 948 as it has an MG valve cover. Not the original engine to this BE.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Willie you could pick up that spare 948 I have that is taking up space under my worktable. Was running when removed from Bugsy II in 1984. Turns over freely. This is a later 948 as it has an MG valve cover. Not the original engine to this BE.

 

[HealeyRick]

 

[SaxMan]

You can laugh, but I know someone who got a mid-90s Chevy Pickup free of charge with a cracked block. He JB Welded it and got it running again, for a little bit longer anyway. At least he got his money's worth out of it.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

35 years ago or so, friend who ran a machine shop had an old flathead six Dodge engine in the shop.
Old guy had little money.
Gudgeon...errr...wrist pin had come adrift....errr...loose, scored the snot out of one cylinder.
No money for sleeving it, so he hot tanked it, JB Welded the groove, honed it, put it together, and I know 5 or so years later he said it was still running.

 

[Bayless]

JB Weld really is some amazing stuff.

 

[Roger]

Broken timing chain?

 

[slickwillie2]

I thought it might be a broken timing chain until I saw the chunk missing in the block. Also I think if the timing chain broke the engine starter should still spin the engine. This lump locked up. No bang, smoke or oil spray.... nothing.

At least I know what has to be done. The easiest way to go would be to get a running 948 long block. It shouldn't be difficult to get the car back on the road.

I am moving to Phoenix AZ next month and am going to put everything back and secure while i make arrangements to transport the car. When I get out west I will decide what to do.

Jim Gruber, THANK YOU for the offer of the 948 but I am not going to disassemble anything until I get out West.

 

[JPSmit]

Fwiw, when we moved from Florida to Canada, they put the Midget on the truck - because the engine was out, it was not considered a car.