Busted push rods

[North1]

Looking down the filler hole on the valve cover on my 1993 230 Sundancer I noticed one of the rockers was sideways. I removed both valve covers and found three busted push rods on 3 and 5. 1/3 of each rod was broken off, so I removed the intake and only found 2 of the 3 broken pieces. They are about 2 inches in length. I want to rebuild and not buy a remanufactured engine (money is an issue), but I need to find the missing piece before I do anything and determine if there is additional damage to the engine. If it's in the oil pan, I have to remove the engine (not sure how it got there). If it's in a cylinder(not sure how it gets pass the valve), all bets are off, new engine. Any suggestions on where the piece could be and what I should do at this point, e.g. Mothball, Rebuild, Tear down further, invest in a remanufactured engine? I wasn't looking to put 5K into a boat I just got from my brother in-law. The engine is 4.3L V6 Mercruiser. Not sure if this is the original motor or not, so could be high hrs. Newbie boat owner.

 

[scoflaw]

Your pcs. will be under the intake in the valley. Stuck valve issue no doubt. If it wasn't burning oil, a pair of recon heads should get you back on the water quickly

 

[North1]

I pulled the intake manifold and found 2 of the 3 broken pieces. I don't see the 3rd piece anywhere. Possible points of exit are (from what I can see): valve ports, cutout slots over the camshaft opening, and area back by the distributor. These areas may not be plausible, but they are the only openings I see. I could pull the camshaft and heads, but the motor is still in the boat. Thanks for the tips and advice scoflaw.

 

[Mike Blake]

Do you have a small magnet? the one that is on a wire. Go fishing my friend it can't be far. What ever you do DONT turn the engine over.

 

[North1]

Mike, I was using one of those telescoping units with a small magnet on the end, but it's not flexible enough to get around the cam lobes or directly beneath the heads and valve area. I like your magnet on the string (fishing) suggestion. I'll bait 'er up this evening and see what I catch. Many thanks. North1.

 

[Mike Blake]

The one I have is on a stiff spring with a handle > I guess I didn't say that right. They sell them cheap. I keep one on the boat. I tend to drop things in the bilge.

 

[North1]

Mike,

Rain kept me off the boat today, but I'll look for the type of magnetic you describe and give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for clarifying. Any thoughts on timing chain jumping a tooth to cause the busted push rods? Thinking new timing chain and rods, if everything else checks out. North1