[k20spooner]

So, to make a long story short, some how my engine ingested some sort of metal piece which was large enough at one point to simply get stock in the intake manifold. Overtime, the metal piece broke apart into shrapnel and a single piece was sucked into the combustion chamber. This did cause some damage to the cylinder head, which is pictured below. I am without a doubt replacing the head with a built one I already had.
We pulled the head and plugs out and the cylinder(4) walls themselves and the piston top appear to be fine. oem crosshatching is still visible and no melted shrapnel on the piston top. The shop and tuner where the car is currently at beleive there could have been rod bearing damage resulting from the piston attempting to compress the metal piece. Although, it does seem possilbe Im unsure because of how weak the metal was that was in there and no visible damage to the bottom end. A beat up chamber and spark plug with no gap lol.
My question is this: Should I just clean the block up and throw the new head on it? or should I not chance it and pull it apart to rebuild? The whole engine itself only has 20k miles on it and Im currently on a limited budget, so cutting costs where I can is key, but I still want to be smart about it.
Does anyone one have some better advice to check if the bearings are fine? Can I simply pull off the oil pan and visually inspect any damage I should be worried about?
Thanks in advance,
Rhett.
Found in the Intake manifold:

Number 4:

Number 3:

4 again:

 

[CJM]

pull it apart Rhett and upgrade. play it safe:up:

 

[onefstek]

What air filter are you running. And is it missing the center cap off it?

Was the car not running right?

The only damage I would be concerned with, would be the valve grind. Everything else would be just fine.

If they are telling you that you need a block rebuilt, they are taking you on a ride you dont' want to go on.

 

[k20spooner]

Colin, yeah idk what to do, in all honestly, If i was convinced it needs a rebuild I would simply buy the block mlrmotorsports is selling.
Stefan, We thought it may of been that, but I think its something I sucked up while running an open velocity stack(bpi with the appropriate k&n). I ran the car multiple times on the street, to california and 4 track events and the day im idling at a light, it shuts off. I start it back up to what sounds like spun bearings. Obviously, later we found out it was the metal bouncing around.
So, Stefan, you agree that the bottom end is more than likely fine, correct? Im just so worried to throw it back in with the built head and I have premature rod bearing wear, but like I already mentioned, doesnt look like the bottom end took any damage at all. Maybe just pull out the piston/rods and replace them with the arp rod bolts I ordered and throw it back together?

 

[onefstek]

It looks like the bottom end its fine.

 

[drhonda]

Pull the pan, inspect. If you have to, pull the piston/rods out and inspect. I don't see why any damage would occur down there, but i would feel better if I saw it.

 

[k20spooner]

Thanks guy, anymore input from other reputable fellows like the above?

 

[poorg]

Thanks guy, anymore input from other reputable fellows like the above?

Check the oil for metal shavings, if you find a lot, pull apart the bottom end to be safe; but from what I see, you are safe.

 

[k20spooner]

Yeah, I actually checked the oil before I pulled everything apart and it looked fine. So yeah, worst case ill pull the pan(want to run the mugen anyways) and put in the arp rod bolts, put it all back together and retune?

 

[the tea-father]

you bottom end is fine, just removed the pan and check the bearings rear. whatever is inside your intake has nothing to do with your bottom end:up: