Having a problem diagnosing an engine problem. The car wants to start but there is a clanking noise. I looked at the engine block for that telltale hole but there wasn't one. Could it still be a thrown rod that didn't go through the block or is it something else like a spun bearing? Any input would be helpful as I need to decide to fix it or tow it away.

I once thought my 1800E had a nasty rod knock, but it ended up just being the heavy cast iron front pulley coming loose.

It's entirely possible for a rod to break without making a hole in the block.

How does the motor crank? With a rod disconnected it should have 3 slower compression strokes and a fast one. whir-whir-whir-wheeeee-whir-whir-whir-wheee.

Or just take the plugs out and do a compression check. If something is obviously off on one cylinder, maybe spend an hour whipping the head off and see what it looks like in there.

A junkyard motor is about $200, 300. If you have or can borrow, or even just rent (there are places that rent things like that in most cities) an engine hoist, you should be able to swap the motor in a couple of weekend days.
--
'63 PV544 rat rod, '93 Classic #1141 245 (now w/16V turbo)

Sure, Not all broken rods lead to a hole in the block. Try to find out what happened just before the clanking noise started and do a compression check.

Greg

Hard to hear it over the internet, however a friend recently found one of the bolts for the rear main seal carrier got out, and became food for the starter ring gear. A very happy friend at that, having also believed he heard bottom end problems.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she'd dye.

Another possibility is something in a combustion chamber. Might be able to see looking through
a spark plug hole.
Any chance of finding another engine?
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Wow. George is onto something.

I wanted to replace an engine, so I picked a good-looking candidate at the UPull, and took it out. Hours of work.

LATER, when I pulled the head, I found that something hard had entered one of the cylinders (how?!), and dinged the piston crown and valves.

I suppose it is hard to know what to do in a junkyard:
1. Keep engine intact, and hope it runs well.
And save a lot of work.
2. Pull the head (and associated stuff), have a look to be sure of... what? How often are there issues?