Engine was knocking. Dropped the pan and the bolts on one of the sides of 2 of the caps were nearly completely backed off. The crank was scared pretty bad, but now we are debating about whether to just put a new crank and bearings in as is, or find a junkyard motor. A complete tear down and rebuild is completely out of the question, and definitely no machine work. So is there a danger of the 2 backed off caps being egged, or should we be good to just toss a crank and bearings at it.

Engine was knocking. Dropped the pan and the bolts on one of the sides of 2 of the caps were nearly completely backed off. The crank was scared pretty bad, but now we are debating about whether to just put a new crank and bearings in as is, or find a junkyard motor. A complete tear down and rebuild is completely out of the question, and definitely no machine work. So is there a danger of the 2 backed off caps being egged, or should we be good to just toss a crank and bearings at it.

Honestly, if you do not have any machine work done you would never know if there were problems with the rods or caps. But more than likely there is enough damage that there is no way you could redo this motor without the machine work.

Possibility 1: tear it down, have the parts checked and repaired as necessary, new bolts pressed in, bearings and crank, throw it together and keep your fingers crossed. I would guesstimate $150 for crank, 40-50 for bearings, $10 per rod reman/per work done... $10 for the bolts to be pressed, $10 to hone and true the rod (ea), and $50ish for gaskets.

Possibility 2: go find a 2.8L or 3.8L from a newer car at a junk yard, probably will get some kind of warranty, and pay the same money, and you get more HP and performance. Heck for that matter, you could even get a 350 for about the same money that would fit too.

Good Luck.

Something loosened those rod bolts. Spun bearing stretched the stud and the nuts backed off. Engine is junk I'd guess. This in an S10 or front wheel drive car? Junkyard engine should be real reasonable, millions of those engines out there and they run about forever.

Junkyard engine should be real reasonable, millions of those engines out there and they run about forever.ditto