Accidents do happen. - NCRS Discussion Boards

Accidents do happen.

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  • Bruce B.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • May 31, 1996
    • 2930

    Accidents do happen.

    This afternoon my wife was driving our 65 and I was following in my 62 going up I-75. We were going to pick up veterans for a Warrior Weekend celebration.
    She was going about 60 MPH and I was following at a safe distance, when all of a sudden I see a puff of smoke out the drivers side pipe, then I see another and then all hell broke loose. A rod went through the left side oil pan and then the breather on the left valve cover blew off and there was oil everywhere. Lots all over the 62 and under the 65.
    At that point the car veered off the road, spun around , went into the ditch backwards and up a hill.
    My wife was fine and and did a great job handling the car and there was no apparent damage to the cars body. But the engine is toast.
    For me it was like watching a NASCAR race where and engine blows and all hell breaks loose.
    I forgot my cell phone so the pictures I have were when the car was on the rollback.
    She wants me to put a 383 stroker in the car, which she loves to drive.
    Attached Files
  • Ed S.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • August 6, 2014
    • 1377

    #2
    Re: Accidents do happen.

    Bruce,
    I am glad to hear that your wife, or anyone else for that matter, was not hurt - sorry to see that your car was damaged. Hopefully it is not serious and can be repaired quickly. But.... out of curiosity, what engine was in the car and what is it's history, original or was it rebuilt, low mileage, high mileage. The reason I ask is that your description of what happened - a rod just let go and went through the block - got my attention. It sounds very much like what Duke Williams has often said about certain C2 small blocks - the rods are junk. Just curious if that is what happened to your car.
    Ed

    Comment

    • Bruce B.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • May 31, 1996
      • 2930

      #3
      Re: Accidents do happen.

      Ed,
      The engine is a 350 ci block which was in the car when I got it. Always ran well and at this time I am not positive what happened.
      Actually the rod appears to have gone through the oil pan.
      I will post more info when I get the engine out of the car.
      Bruce B

      Comment

      • Richard M.
        Super Moderator
        • August 31, 1988
        • 11323

        #4
        Re: Accidents do happen.

        Bruce, Sorry to hear about this, but happy your wife is okay and no one else was hurt.

        I too am curious about the engine damage and a diagnosis as to what caused it.

        Is the rod piece sticking out the oil pan broken off at the arm or does it look like loosened cap bolts were the cause?

        Who knows, maybe the block is salvageable?

        Rich

        Comment

        • John F.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • March 23, 2008
          • 2408

          #5
          Re: Accidents do happen.

          Glad everyone is okay. Has your wife been watching Nascar? Sounds like she handled it well. Take a lot of pics and post when you pull the motor.

          Comment

          • Brian M.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • February 1, 1997
            • 1839

            #6
            Re: Accidents do happen.

            This is why I have a dash cam in my cars, would have made for a great video, glad everyone is safe. Good Luck.

            Comment

            • Frank D.
              Expired
              • December 27, 2007
              • 2703

              #7
              Re: Accidents do happen.

              Amen. Glad the wife is safe Bruce, she must be some cool cookie...
              Dash cams are a GREAT idea, beyond 'cool' videos they are great evidence if something gets litigious or insurance companies ask questions.
              ALL of my cars have them!

              Comment

              • Duke W.
                Beyond Control Poster
                • January 1, 1993
                • 15672

                #8
                Re: Accidents do happen.

                Originally posted by Ed Szeliga (60294)
                Bruce,
                The reason I ask is that your description of what happened - a rod just let go and went through the block - got my attention. It sounds very much like what Duke Williams has often said about certain C2 small blocks - the rods are junk. Just curious if that is what happened to your car.

                Being a '65, which were built at Flint with the first design 327 rod, that was my first thought, but then Bruce said it's a 350 block. The standard 350 rods are much more durable, but failures can occur, especially if the engine was run hard over it's life.

                A seized bearing can cause a rod to break, so Bruce, when you get the details, let us know what rod let go and how the journal looks. Of course, photos would be great.

                Duke

                Comment

                • Bruce B.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • May 31, 1996
                  • 2930

                  #9
                  Re: Accidents do happen.

                  Thanks Guys,
                  I must admit she did a great job handling the car it seems like the oil from the pan hole contributed to the loss of control as the rear of the car came around.
                  I checked over the car and other then the dead engine the only other damage is she bent the left exhaust extension.
                  She has volunteered to pay for it.....
                  Bruce B

                  Comment

                  • Leif A.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • August 31, 1997
                    • 3628

                    #10
                    Re: Accidents do happen.

                    Bruce,
                    Our cars can be fixed...sometimes the folks driving them can't...very grateful your wife will not need "repairs". You'll have her back on the road in no time. On a lighter note, nice touch leaving the branch in the rear bumper
                    Leif
                    '67 Coupe L79, M21, C60, N14, N40, J50, A31, U69, A01, QB1
                    Top Flight 2017 Lone Star Regional

                    Comment

                    • Ed S.
                      Extremely Frequent Poster
                      • August 6, 2014
                      • 1377

                      #11
                      Re: Accidents do happen.

                      Bruce, you said, "She has volunteered to pay for it.....". I would venture to guess that she already has. I know my wife would tell you she has paid for my C2 habit, and I am ever so grateful that she puts up with me & it. Only one thing better than a classic Corvette, that would be a wonderful wife with class!
                      Ed

                      Comment

                      • Art B.
                        Expired
                        • July 31, 1989
                        • 333

                        #12
                        Re: Accidents do happen.

                        Way back in 1956, my friend and I rebuilt his 1949 flathead Merc engine. We were novices at the time but we did the best job we could with our limited talents. A few months later he was out driving pretty fast when a rod went through the oil pan. He was so disgusted that he junked it and got a '52 Merc. If it had been me I would have repaired it or replaced the engine. It was a two door coupe painted black.

                        Comment

                        • Shannon U.
                          Former NCRS President Director Region II
                          • October 18, 2009
                          • 108

                          #13
                          Re: Accidents do happen.

                          Glad to hear that both of you are okay!!! You will likely have it better than new and back on the road again very soon. No surprise that Joyce handled it like a true professional. A 383 in this one and you will have two cars ready for the Concours judging category! Heck, she might let you put a blower in this one also!!

                          Comment

                          • Randy G.
                            Expired
                            • April 1, 2006
                            • 358

                            #14
                            Re: Accidents do happen.

                            Glad to hear she wants to get back on the horse. Some wive's might say..."Enough."

                            Comment

                            • Tom B.
                              Very Frequent User
                              • March 1, 1978
                              • 720

                              #15
                              Re: Accidents do happen.

                              Bruce,

                              Glad that everything ended up right side up. There are so many possibilities for a great street engine. I'll bet that you can't wait to get started.

                              Tom

                              Comment

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