Three weeks ago, I was cruising down the highway at 75-80 MPH (about 2200 rpm) on my way to work when all heck broke loose under the hood of my F150. I just finished the engine swap in it a few days ago, so I thought I'd tear down the old engine to see what had failed. Here are the pics.

While unbolting the oil pan, I could hear pieces falling/moving around. Here is a pic of what I found in the sump of the pan.


The crankshaft sheared just in front of the second main, then proceded to overlap itself. Check out the bent rods.


I hadn't touched the bolts on the front main yet...look at the gap between the main cap and the block. Also, note the timing cover damage.


As soon as I started to remove the front main, the front of the block disintegrated. Cylinders #1 and #5 are both cracked as well.


Here's my newest trophy for the wall of carnage in my garage. I pointed out a few "issues" in this pic.




My conclusion is that the timing chain failed and wrapped itself around the crank gear, effectively locking the front of the crankshaft. When that happened, the engine went catastrophic. I was just amazed at the damage and thought some of you guys might get a kick out of seeing these pics.

-Rod

 

ouch! did you go with another 5.0 or upgrade to the 5.8???

 

I was planning on building a 351W-based engine for it this summer when I could handle being without the truck for awhile, but since this happened at the worst possible time of the year, I threw another 5.0L in it for the sake of keeping it quick and simple. I deleted the smog pump and its associated plumbing while it was out, and I'll have a new stainless Magnaflow exhaust on it shortly, but that is pretty much the extent of the upgrades.

I may still build an engine for it this summer, but we shall see.

-Rod

 

The 5.8 would have been a simple plug and play... FYI... It's pretty much the same as the 5.0 just is wider. You can use same engine mounts and all. You would have needed a new flexplate if it was an auto but that's about it as far as modification... 5.8's are plug and play!

 

WOW!! I think my 95 jumped a tooth on the timing chain,but it didn't do damage,it will start as I found out a few mins ago when I advance the timing quite a bit. As far as a 5.8 being plug and play yes it is if your 95 is a MAF truck like mine.

 

That actually ain't the first time I see this happen on a 5.0L....


Ouch though!

 

What was the mileage when it happened? did u notice any worning sighnes at all like maybe any extra noses from under the hood.

 

The thing was, I had another complete '95 5.0L readily available, versus having to track down a 5.8L.

The engine had just over 209,XXX on it. The timing chain was replaced around 150,XXX miles, but that engine had seen its share of revs and abuse. As far as warning signs, all was well right up until the second it let go.

-Rod

 

That must of went with a boom eh?

 

It was more of a bang, clunk, clatter, clank, kerpow!

 

Are there any fatigue marks on the crankshaft split line? It's hard for me to imagine a broken timing chain causing all this mess (I deal with engine failures at work). Have you gotten a look at the top-end/valvetrain yet?

 

I do not think that was I timing chain either.
I bought a truck last year and the engine was like that also but the timing chain was OK.

 

What a mess! RIP lil 5.0... the pictures are amazing...

 

X 3 ...it looks like something broke first , hydro lock mabee ??....Lew

 

That's some impressive destruction. That counter weight that broke free & jammed in next to the rod would be my guess as the culprit. (pic#2)