Thrown rod = New engine??

Tough Life

Member
Jan 8, 2007
60
Chesapeake Bay
Boat Info
310 Sundancer 1999
Engines
5.7 350 Mags
Hi All,

I have a buddy with a 260 Bayliner (I think it is '01). He heard a clattering noise this past weekend coming from his engine. He had his mechanic look at it and the diagnosis is a 'thrown rod'. His mechanic is saying this can only be fixed by replacing the engine. Is this true? If you experience a thrown rod, does the engine have to be replaced? Or can it be rebuilt? Thanks in advance.
 
Every motor I have seen that threw a rod has A LOT of damage on the inside.

I have never heard of throwing a rod and the motor still running...

A thrown rod and rod knock are different things, possible he has a rod knock? The motor will run with a knock... and then, yes, it is possible to rebuild depending on what the insides look like.

If me, I would buy a new motor, simple R&R and a warranty!
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Hopefully it turns out to be just a knock.

Under what conditions would an engine throw a rod? Overheating? Low oil pressure? Overrevving? Is there some preventive maintenance that he could have done to avoid this? Thanks again.
 
Could be a number of things.

Good Luck with the outcome...
 
Here is a good example of why keeping your location a secret prevents you from getting complete answers.

If the motor has a knock but still runs, a good mechanic can rebuild it, if its worth it. If its a salt water motor, don't waste the time and money since there is sediment in the block you will never remove.

If the rod is thrown and is loose inside the engine and it won't run, don't waste time on a rebuild because seldom is one thrown rod the only thing compromised.

It may be easier and quicker to buy a remanufactured engine if one is available. Some engines are not available from the rebuilders. We don't know what engine it is since all you told us was that its a Bayliner that you believe to be an '01.

Sorry the answers aren't more help....and forgive me for using your thread as a soapbox for a sore point of mine.....not providing enough information to help folks get answers.
 
Sorry for the lack of information. My intent was more of a 'general' question that I thought would apply to most, if not all engines. I will be more diligent in future posts.
 
Doug,

We are all boaters and love a good story... come on, give us the details of how the engine got blown. For example:

At the end of last summer I was on my back from Georgetown to the marina at 2:00 am when I noticed a blob rolling across my radar which was not a natural occurence. It was headed for me at a high rate of speed with no lights. I immediately made a 90 degree turn and pushed the throttles guessing which way he would go. He passed by me with 3 guys on board, no running lights and the engines at full throttle. 5 seconds after crossing my stern. I heard two muffled exposions and their boat was dead in the water drifting down the river.

I came around to check on them and placed a radio call to the DC harbor police. These guys were drunk on their butts and had just put the boat in the water at the airport ramp and not opened the seacocks. Both engines were history. I stayed around long enough to make sure they weren't sinking or on fire, then headed home.

Old engines and race engines do blow from time to time. Most of the time it is more related to owner than it is to the technology.

-John
 

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