59a Engine Failed Big Time.

[Phil Gillespie]

Have a 46 Merc Coupe which had a "rebuilt" engine in it but used about 0.5 litre of oil per 50 mls. Brought another engine off our local ebay called Trade Me.
Standard 3 3/16 bore.New rings, new cam shaft brgs, New heads NOS never been on an engine. runs at 70 lbs oil pressure at start up then 60lbs.

Swapped this into the car and immediately noted low oil pressure when warm around 10lbs. Went to a heavier oil 30/70 and some improvement 15lbs when warm at 50 mph. Did some short low load runs to get some miles on engine.
Couple of weeks ago went to a car show but didnt quite make it home.
A clatter and bang at 50mph cruising. Kept going to get off motor way to find safe spot to stop. On stopping oil/water mix spewing from road draft tube.
Got car towed home by a helpful passing driver.
The mess on removing engine:
Hole punched through both sides of oil pan. Cam shaft broken aft of No 2 & No6
shaft broken into quite small bits. Gallery area support areas for valve guides 7 back to 8 smashed up. Piston rod No8 broken.Ah this explains holes in oil pan. Rod was gone and only bottom end brg almost flush and same at bottom of No 8 piston. No 8 piston lower skirt broken off, No8 liner scored,
Plenty of broken bits in oil pan. Nil siezed brgs. Pulled No8 bottom end brg and No4 piston. Both bottom end brgs through to copper.
No 7 piston shows a contact ring mirrored in head.These heads had previously never been used NOS.
Block is history and c/shaft shows signs of external damage caused by flying bits prior to stop.
Hard to tell what came first, No8 con rod or camshaft.
Let the buyer be aware. So now to test the sellers good will as only had 180 easy miles racked up on this " inspected part rebuilt" engine.
Ideas and thoughts would be appreciated.
Phil NZ