So due to a recent fuel pump related failure at the track last weekend I had to tear down the engine to inspect for damage. Fuel pump gave out causing me to run lean to the point where it destroyed the cylinder head. I am researching my options for a new head right now but I want to see what you guys think of these pics:



as you can see its the piston on the left I am curious about.



Somehow in the course of all this I developed an oil leak in the oil pump/pan area and found a roller rocker popped off the lifter and found this slight kiss of the piston to the valve. I am wondering if it will be ok to use a scotch brite pad and smooth out the rough edges on that 'kissed' area to remove potential hot sports, and be ok? I would think it should be fine but I would like to hear what the gurus have to say? It would suck to have to need new pistons as well so I need input. Sorry about the crappy iphone pic quality btw.

 

Run it! I had a piston hit the head and im still running those after i got the clearance issue fixed.

 

Damn. Well I guess these pistons can take a beating.

 

Just don't reuse the valve which took part in the collision. That piston is fine.

 

Since you ran lean you might possibly have ring land damage. I'd suggest looking closely at the bores for any abnormal marking. Otherwise, pull it apart if you want to absolutely know. The piston top looks okay.

 

Up to you, look at the cyl walls and make sure the crosshatching all still looks nice. If so, I'd probably just run it. Then again, if you have it out of the car already (kinda looks like it from the pics?) it might be worth pulling it apart if you have the time/money.

 

The whole head is trashed.



that was the combustion chamber with the piston in question.

 

crosshatch marks look really good. I have plans for a build but not yet. I just would like it to run without being all screwed up until I get my plans going. I dont want to start assembling it back together though and have bad bearings contaminate my system and have to replace oil coolers and my new head. So thats what I am trying to avoid. I dont want to have to replace things if I dont have to at this point. I dont have plans to keep this setup forever though. The pistons are right there now and easy to get to so taking them out isnt an issue, its just a question of is it recommended to ya know.

thanks for the input guys.

 

After seeing your head I'd be inclined to pull the pistons. This will give you a chance to view the rod bearings too. Just put it back together if everything is okay.

 

Mind to share which brand of piston is this?

 

OEM Mitsu. I never had the head apart before this.

 

It probably beat the **** out of the bearings too.

 

Just make sure you smooth out the spot where the valve tapped to prevent any kind of detonation.

 

I decided to go ahead and tear down the block a little more to inspect further. It is the right way to do it after all. After removing the pistons I inspected the crank journals.



not the best pic but from what I could tell the crank looks fine, no scoring or excessive wear. Plus for me so far.


They cylinders I found some vertical wear marks and some spots where the piston skirts may have been wearing




hear I took the pistons out and found the same wear on the skirts that matched the cylinder walls. Ring lands looked ok, rings not too sure about.





I went to examine the rod bearings, not really happy with what I found.








The rods, pistons, and crank may be ok, the block looks like it will be fine with minor cleanup, but I think Im just gonna consider going for the build I was planning on later on, and replacing the clutch since I will have to take it off anyhow. I think Im gonna send off the block to the machine shop and get it hot tanked,magnafluxed, honed, and all that good stuff, then probably post it on here for sale. I decided not to piece together anything just to get me by for my next build as I dont feel like taking this engine out again anytime soon.

I will update you guys with progress of my next build, plans for it should be pretty bada$$.