[SaucerClone]

if you do send it back, what is your alternative? find another motor? what kind of timeline are you on?

if you live near a solid junk yard, go and get another timing cover and valve cover from an accord or crv; they are all exactly the same. Of course, my one concern is what it looks like internally, with all the metal potentially floating around. if you have the time to send it back, it may be worth it, since this one may need a complete rebuild as it is.

 

[SaucerClone]

Keeping it and trying to make it work before our season opener on memorial day gives me these vibes. The car runs great at the moment with the k24a4, we can comfortably run the top 1/3 of the field, but we aren't gonna be able to win without some more zip. I was hoping to turn some heads this season. Way she goes I reckon.

Here's the thing with it though: assuming that motor was ran after it took a hit to the timing cover, that means it has aluminum chunks floating around inside. depending on how long it was ran like this, there is a solid chance that the bearings took a beating from it, which given enough time will start to eat up the crank and rods. although, I'm sure you know all of this already

the thing is, without opening the bottom end up, theres no way to know how things are really looking. for all we know, the entire block may be toast, as well as everything in it. there is also a chance it's all salvagable, but we have no idea

 

[SaucerClone]

BTW, if thats metal I spy down there, than the motor is definitly a lost cause