Went up for our first round of eliminations.
Started fine, then it sounded like the starter was hung up in the flex plate, revved it up and the sound did not go away.
Shut it off and started it up, started fine. What the heck try a burn out to see if it would shake it free.
Half way through the burn out it shut off.
Pulled over to the wall, and got out.
Opponent made his run.
Got back in and was pushed back, and went to the pits.
Starter strains to turn the engine over.
Drained the oil, no metal, but little tiny bits of red, looks and feels like RTV. No red RTV was used building the engine only black and silver.
I have a System 1 remote filter, dumped it and no metal. Found one ore two of the tiny red bits.
Put new oil in, new starter and it still strains to turn it over.
Pulled the blower belt, blower is not seized.
Pulled one valve cover, all looks normal, I forgot to turn the engine over to check to see if the rocker arms were moving, Think they are ok as there are no strange noises. This will have to be checked when I get home.
There are no strange noises from the bottom end when turned over with the starter.
Pulled all the plugs the front two were the hottest, discoloration all the way around the end of the plug, but not into the treads.
Used a bore scope in those two cylinders, tops of the pistons look brand new, cross hatching on the cylinder walls still look new.
I'm perplexed. Put it all back together, and put it in the trailer. When I get home the first thing I will do is pull the torque converter bolts.
Next would be to pull the pan and see if the rods will move, then maybe pull the main caps.
I'm open to ideas.