The reason for this poll is to share my experience and hear about your experience, but also because I want to decide if the engine can be fixed (or worth fixing) or car should be junked.</P>


Thank you for participating in the poll.</P>


I had a major problem with the engine; the piston rods broke thru the bottom of the engine, oil spilled out and car was dead! Luckily, didn't get into an accident on the highway because of this.</P>


(There are reported problems of piston rods being not strong enough. Were OK for a 300, but not for a 350. The piston rods apparently bend, causing oval shape to pistons, causing oil leaking into combustion chamber, etc.)</P>


The engine was rebuilt, but some of the issues (below) are still there:</P>


- Car shakes/throbs during idle in drive</P>


- Car shifts from gear 1 to 2 with a thump; also, unpredictable time lag in shift</P>


- Car downshifts hard and with a thump from 3-2 down to 1 when coming to stop</P>


- Lots of smoke emitted on acceleration; overall lack of power</P>


- Guzzles oil at a rate of 1+ qt per 300-400 miles</P>


</P>

 

My '91 350SDL at 127K is running OK with no significant oil consumption.
However, I'm disappointed and quite alarmed to read some of the issues/
experiences here. What all have you found out with your 'poll'--haven't seen
any responses?

 

i didn't notice there was a poll.

the only thing i can see was that... *the cylinder head gasket leaks** coolant_enters_the_cylinder_chamber***piston_press ed it****conrod bent*****conrod_broke_and_broken_side_drops_down** ****conrod_pushes_the_oil_sump_and_oil _sump_broken.

i see many cases like this during hard rainy days.