Yes, you read correctly. I believe that after @2600 miles on an engine rebuild, the bolts holding the locking tab and the water pump pulley loosened and the pulley fell off.
I am taking my photos and narrative to the shop Monday, 9/20.
This happened while driving @ 35 miles an hour on a road course re-enactment at Road America this past Saturday. (9/17) Car temp gauge pegged full right, oil pressure dropped from 40 to 20, charge needle indicated under 12 v. Once I found that the belt was off, the gauge indications all made sense. Did not go more than 1/4 mile to safe place to check car over. Car was flatbedded home, to await discussion with shop that did the rebuild. Here are photos: First is stock engine, red circle is tensioner, yellow circle is water pump pulley. Second photo is what is left on my engine.

 

Very much depends on how hot the engine got before you shut it down. The worst extreme case is a blown head gasket and warped head but I’d suspect little or no damage was done in this case.

In my opinion, you can’t really lay all the blame on the engine builder as you’ve covered over 2000 miles since it left their shop.

 

Valerie,
Sorry to hear about the trouble…..frustrating to have a shop rebuild fail so quickly. You didn’t drive very far afterwards and you still had oil pressure. So I would not expect damage. I would perform a compression check to make sure there is still a good head gasket seal and check the color of the oil looking for any sign of water. It would also not hurt to change the oil as well. Probably some coolant was lost so that should be checked and I would examine the belt closely looking for any cut or fraying. These engines are prone to tappet guide loosening in an overheat situation. Maybe your rebuild included tappet guide hold downs? If not I would remove the cam covers and examine each guide to make sure it is still seated….especially the exhaust side. Hope there is nothing serious, Cheers, Richard

 

Took my writeup and photos and went to the shop. On one hand I understand about 2600 miles on the rebuild, but this wasn't a spark plug coming unscrewed. Perhaps my expectations of having spent nearly $30K with this shop over the last 10 years and receiving some sort of accommodation were too high. Added to that the shop recently changed hands, but the previous owner verbally assured me that the new owners would honor previous work. Key: verbally. The new owner called back and in so many words told me to FO and all he bought was the physical assets of the business. Not one word about how can we help you through this, or any offer of assistance. I had been concerned about the ones that bought the business. They are high-flyers doing Ferrari, etc work, but wanted to get into the 'consumer' market. So I had been looking around for an alternative shop anyway.
Yes, I believe that the short duration of the no-charge, high temp and thinned oil was the saving grace for this episode. The fans come on at ignition (there are supposed to) and we cranked the starter a couple of seconds and the engine turns. Yes to coolant change, oil change, belt, compression and tappet guide checks. There don't appear to be any leaks... oil or coolant. I believe I have found an alternative shop, but I will go down there first to discuss what happened and to do a sniff test of the operation. I am often treated in a dismissive manner in shops and if that happens I go elsewhere.

 

You would be one of the most careful and conscentious owners here, Valerie.
However, from an independent perspective and outside a main dealer change of ownership, I cannot bring myself to fault the new owner of a small business. I guess you could hassle the old owner? (as in, don't forget Valerie was part of your sale, Mate)

Fortunately you know what you're doing, and there appears to be no major damage.
Move on. No reason at all to blame the new business owners. You might not like the new owners for various reasons, just don't confuse it with your unfortunate previous fault.

Best regards, Chris

 

Yes, I do see things from both perspectives, though I am still hung up on.."this was a serious issue" and isn't continued good will important to a new owner? Whatever.

So as the saga unfolds... Tuesday night I received a phone call from the former owner. Not sure how he became aware of the situation, but his first words were "This NEVER should have happened". (We had continued our friendship even though he had retired and sold). And yes, I had already 'moved on'... locating a new shop and preparing my list of parts that were needed. The interesting thing is.. I was one of probably several customers of the old shop that were interviewed by some marketing organization as to what I looked for in a repair shop, what was important to me as an owner, what I expected as a customer.. things like that. This was early this past spring, just after the sale had been finalized. My first point in that interview was "stands behind their work".

TMALSS, he offered to come pick up the car, buy all the parts and repair the car. A stand up guy, to be sure. I was a friendly and positive conversation. He should be coming out Monday/Tuesday.

I will definitely update the thread as things develop.

Many thanks to the members who posted with recommendations for checks to be done to the car's systems.

 

A positive note to be sure. Today the former owner came and picked up the E. The encouraging thing was that he got in the car, it started right up and drove it out of the garage and into his enclosed trailer! His home shop is about an hour away. Hoping there's no serious damage and that with a few parts and fluid replacements, we are back in business.

 

The E has been repaired and is ready for pickup. Radiator all good, new coolant, new oil and filter at the minimum. I sent the fuel sender unit out for rebuild and that should be coming tomorrow/Saturday, so will bring it along for install when I pick up the E. The other good news was that AAA fully reimbursed me for the flatbed charge that I had to find, after they could not get the job done. Still thinking over options there.. stay with AAA or try out Hagerty (my ins. co) for their Drivers' Club, which includes 100 mile radius flatbed, among other benefits (and half the price of my AAA Premium/Elite)

 

It’s sounds like things are working out ok for you. Glad the former owner stepped up to help out!

cheers,
Bob_S

 

Drove the beast home from the shop, (beautiful Wisconsin fall day). Put the sender back in, and letting sealant cure. It snowed here this morning, so not sure when I can get out for a test drive. Early snows like this for happen, but they're often gone in a day or two this time of year.