511 is absolute toast.

Took the ol' girl to the track today for some test and tune. I wanted to try some larger nitrous jets, but before I did I wanted some A/F data, and a good plug read. I let her rip and just after my 1-2 shift it quit suddenly. Bad, bad noises. Didn't take long to spot the new window in the side of the block, I assumed I had thrown a rod, but it turns out I either had a valve spring fail or a valve stem fail on the #8 exhaust valve. There are no pieces of the #8 piston larger than my thumb, and they are all in the pan (except for the pieces that came out the exhaust and sprinkled on the track). I haven't done a complete tear down yet, but at this point I have a bent rod, destroyed piston, destroyed head, destroyed windage tray, bent pan, windowed block. I probably have another damaged head because I'm sure the cam dowel snapped causing the engine to die, and there is a good chance I touched pistons all over the place as well.

The good news is it windowed the block above the oil line, so I didn't lose control, and nobody got hurt. Mostly me. So, over the next few days I'll pull the engine, tear it apart and evaluate my next move.

I had my video camera mounted on the cage right beside my head, so there is fantastic in can video of my engines dying gasp. I'll be putting it on youtube in a few minutes and posting a link. I'll probably post pics of the carnage tomorrow as well.

-Scouder

 

Same thing that happened to the 390 in my 72, snapped a valve at about 6000-6500 after the motor mount broke and pinned the throttle. Mine at least didn't put a full hole in the block, just cracked the bore, and the head was still usable, but of course all my stuff was cast iron too-
What were you running for valves? If you have aftermarket stainless valves, I would take a serious look at a rocker having rolled off the valve tip.

 

Titaniums. 11/32 stems. Roller still sitting on stem tip just fine, there is just no valve at the end. I think I see it sitting inside my primary tube in my header, but I can't reach it.

-Scouder

 

Here's the link. I can see the gauges when I play this on my tv, but not on the computer. They all show a perfect run until the valve goes south. Tach barely touches 7000 as I shift, drops back to 6000 in 2nd gear and then comes apart.

YouTube - Disaster! Dropped valve destroys engine!

-Scouder

 

I had a 428CJ valve stem break. The valve dropped into the cylinder, flipped over and the stem punched thru the piston, where it stayed. Hitting the top of the combustion chamber. Dead cylinder and bang on every revolution. Ford repaired under warranty.

 

AWWWWWW CRAP! Sorry to hear it Brian.

 

OH NO !! Tell me it aint So!!! Damn I hate to hear that Brian.... I just hope it isnt worse when you get into the full tear down ! Do you think it was because a Valve let loose ? Or you got some rod stretch in there?

Man I hate to hear that!

 

Well that just sucks to hear and see!!! I'm sorry to see that happen. Awesome engine that kicked some serious azz. Good luck with the teardown and hope some things can be salvaged.

 

damn........................................... that is a sucky bos right there. Hope it isn't a total loss. Not sure I wanna see picts

 

No rod stretch. I never spun it hard enough to even begin to stretch these bad boys. I am positive I either broke a spring, which let the valve and piston get cozy at high rpm, or I just plain had a valve fail. I won't know for a few days while I tear her apart.

-Scouder

 

That sucks.

 

Well Brian i hope for the best for yeah..... Its just a crying damn shame!! I cant remember who's springs you were running off hand....But I damn sure would run um thru spring tester....and ask some questions as I'am sure you are with the techs..

Thats just not right... there's it hasnt been run hard enough to have had spring fatigue..ut it may get you a new set of springs anyway!! Hope so....thats one less cost ... Keep me posted I'am real curious..

~Russ

 

That does suck- hopefully if it was a defective part the manufacturer will own up to it.

 

I'd certainly go through the rest of the retainers, valves and springs and see if there are any other suspect parts that look like they were ready to go.

Spring strength, visual inspection, etc. Retainers, any worn edges or fatigue cracks, and for the valves, any stretch(!) or visible signs of something wrong.

 

Man, ......that sucks........my heart sank when it sounded sick and died. I almost felt like vomitting. I kept thinking about all of the trick parts and how fast they can be junked. If you need any verbal support or some cyber shoulders to cry on, you know we are here for you man.....