Looks like you found whats wrong with your Motor.

 

No Bueno my friend! Don't expect a positive outcome. Engine probably done!

 

So much for that great price... after reading time to search for a replacement engine.

 

HA, I got it for $1,000 dollars. Hoping to fix it and keep it for my father.
Yeaup. The top of the spark plug came out with the coil. It looks to have been a blown spark plug that broke. The engine still makes that clanc noise, we don't even know if the broken piece is stopping the engine
from turning over fully. I'll most likely have to take apart the top end to even fetch the piece and, see what the damage is in the cylinder walls.


Engines aren't cheap or plentiful to find either, especially in the northeast, tri-state area.

 

Bore may be alright, but the condition of your piston, and head, do not look promising.
The rest of things may be repairable if you are lucky, as we all hope you are.

 

I have been reading this and the UK forum for~12 years and I seem to remember

one other post with a blown spark plug.

Not good!

 

Well, good for you but have fun throwing dollars at it...

 

Me too !!
The problem is no doubt due to the very long intervals between sparkplug changes, (around 70k miles). This gives plenty of time for the plug to seize in the cylinder head and/or other things to happen. One has to wonder if the sparkplug makers are happy with these extended intervals.

 

I also found out, after some browsing that my car falls under the x356 category. Now, if I resort to doing a engine swap, is that going to make my search for a donor that much harder?