I posted a photo below, and you can see that the thrust bearing metal is worn off but not through the steel backing, so the bearing cap is not damaged. The front thrust surface is fine. The wear happened on the back thrust bearing... maybe consistent with a clutch problem.
I'll see in the daylight tomorrow if the crankshaft thrust surface is scored.
My first choice would be to pull the engine and rebuild it. I can buy a new crank if necessary.
However my local machine shop has a three month backlog (and actually probably longer) just to bore the block and I need to be back on the road sooner than that.
I had a quote of $1720 for a 1995 engine with 94,000 miles, but there are a lot of uncertain things with a used engine. Also the reviews for the company had a lot of complaints about communications and also how long it took for their engines to be shipped out.
Solutions:
A. - Can anyone recommend a good machine shop that can turn a block and heads around in perhaps 30 days or less, within driving distance of South Carolina (300-400 miles would be OK)?
Alternatively:
B. - Can anyone recommend a used engine vendor known to be trustworthy and reliable and possibly a forum member or vendor?
Another choice:
C. - Buy a new crankshaft if necessary and replace rings, rod and main bearings, remove any top cylinder ridge, ball hone the cylinders and hope for the best.
and last choice:
D. - Does anyone have experience with a rebuilder with a good reputation for selling re-conditioned engines?
I would really enjoy a discussion of why this failure happened, but right now getting back on the road is more important.
- Rear thrust is shot
- Front thrust is good