I would pull the valve cover as well, since you've come this far, you need to determine if it's something in the lower end that let go, or something in the valve train. If a connecting rod broke, they usually come through the side of the block, and you would have heard that. I just suggest keeping going because it's easier to replace a cylinder head than an entire engine. Since we don't really know what happened, it just seems so unlikely the vehicle was sold, and the engine seized in the first 5 minutes you started it. I know you sell a lot of vehicles, and it would be terrible to take a loss on this one. This design is definitely a different one, service info here states the cam bears are part of the cylinder head (one half) and the other half of the cam bearing is part of the cylinder head cover (valve cover), that has to be one of the strangest designs I've heard of, So basically to replace a leaking valve cover you need to pull the time chains, or at least release the pressure of the tensioners. Very difficult engine to work on. You could also put a bore scope down each spark plug hole and see if you notice anything. Bent valves, broken piston, etc.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Monday, February 26th, 2024 AT 10:28 AM