That's about it then replace those parts and drive it.

When you have the head pulled from your 96 make sure all the valves look good. Which I am sure you are aware of.

I'd also send the head to the machine shop to be checked to make sure it didn't warp at all or anything when it overheated.

Pull the lower timing cover on your car first to verify the damage first.


It could just be you harmonic balancer broke in half. The rubber pieces get worn out and it would explain the overheating if it is broken and can't spin the belt.

So yeah check the harmonic balancer first

If the belt wasn't spinning he would have no power steering, and the battery wouldn't charge. The water pump is timing belt driven. Also he said he replaced it assuming by the crank pulley he meant the harmonic balancer.

jakk220 said:

If the belt wasn't spinning he would have no power steering, and the battery wouldn't charge. The water pump is timing belt driven. Also he said he replaced it assuming by the crank pulley he meant the harmonic balancer.

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Water pump is not timing belt driven.

ooops, I mixed up threads in my head haha. I had 420a on my mind.

If you have no time and must be on the road then go for it man leave it stock don't do much to it. But you may be back there again so if possible find another dd and focus on getting things done the best way possible so you don't have to do it again.. "Mother always told me the lazy man works twice.". That's why I had to rebuild again.

do the basic checks. do a compression test to make sure it will hold compression. to be safe, put a new timing belt on and new water pump. that's what i'm doing soon with my spyder

jakk220 said:

ooops, I mixed up threads in my head haha. I had 420a on my mind.

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I mean it could be alot of things, I'm not saying it for sure is one thing and only do what I say but it's down the list on things to check before you throw in the towel and roll the dice on a new engine.

He says crank pulley so he us probably talking about the harmonic balancer, but it could also be his crank bolt is loose and the balancer has a bunch of slop and free play in it wobbling around

It's like I posted in the newbie forum when a guy asked why his car was smoking when he popped the hood, how should I know. I'm going to start telling people to look for oil covered possums in their engine bays making a knocking noise trying to get out from behind the ac compressor

By no means am I saying that a new part doesn't mean not broken. I have learned that a few times . I guess I just assumed that he tightened the bolt down and then checked it for play when he replaced it. Buy you're right. It doesn't hurt to rule out the obvious stupid things. Those are the ones that get ya.

Haha thanks for the responses guys. Yes I replaced the harmonic balancer about a month ago and when I started her up and stared at the pulley from the wheel well I swear it had some side to side movement.
The car didn't overheat all the way. On the stock gauge it went about 3/4 and I immediately pulled over. I hit the ac button so both fans were on and I kept the car running until it reached 1/2. At first I thought thermostat but when I hit the throttle I heard the god awful rattle from the bottom end. I jacked her up so I could examine the balancer (with the car running). I couldn't feel any play with my hand (with the car off), but I noticed some fresh oil on my lateral control arm right by the pan.
I limped the car about a 1/4 mile to the closest parking lot where she died pulling in. I was able to start her and move her for the tow truck.
I planned on examining her better, but this damn blizzard got in the way.

Well.... drain the oil and see if you have glitter. You could pull the pan if checking the oil out is inconclusive.

PlanZero said:

Haha thanks for the responses guys. Yes I replaced the harmonic balancer about a month ago and when I started her up and stared at the pulley from the wheel well I swear it had some side to side movement.
The car didn't overheat all the way. On the stock gauge it went about 3/4 and I immediately pulled over. I hit the ac button so both fans were on and I kept the car running until it reached 1/2. At first I thought thermostat but when I hit the throttle I heard the god awful rattle from the bottom end. I jacked her up so I could examine the balancer (with the car running). I couldn't feel any play with my hand (with the car off), but I noticed some fresh oil on my lateral control arm right by the pan.
I limped the car about a 1/4 mile to the closest parking lot where she died pulling in. I was able to start her and move her for the tow truck.
I planned on examining her better, but this damn blizzard got in the way.

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I hear you it sounds like it could be something serious, but it also could be something simple.

Even with crank walk you really have to use a pry bar between the block and the sprocket to get a little wiggle. If you were feeling some looseness when installing the harmonic balancer the crank bolt could have worked itself loose and at full tension the balancer could be out of round in its rotation which could cause the belt on the waterpump to slip.

The water pump could have seized up and cause the belt to slip or drag and cause extra strain on the crank

Hell I've thrown an ac belt and it sounds like that damn oil possum is knocking for its life when you Rev the throttle.

You didn't mention any changes in oil pressure or oil leaks under the car besides the lateral arm which could be as simple as an oil pan leak So that's a good start. You also didn't mention any smoking. So far all you know for sure is the car was running hot and was having problems idling. So if you are feeling lazy in the cold the best and easiest way to start is with a compression test. Keep us posted bud don't toss in the towel yet

Ironically I had an auto zone compression tester in the backseat since I was omw to look at another car. However I went to use it today and I got a reading of only 90 on all 4. Not sure what the problem was, and it was way too cold to dick around. One other time I rented an AZ tester it didn't work properly; I returned it and got one that worked (wouldn't that be even more ironic if they rerented it to me months later?). Anyway, car started and sounded fine, until I hit the throttle. It's definitely bottom end. All belts are intact and seem to be moving properly.
The oil on the control arm is no coincidence. There are no leaks on this car. I pulled the dipstick and I found a metal flake. I'm not even going to bother with pulling the lower timing cover. Whatever this is, its beyond my ability as a backyard mechanic.
I just ordered $600 worth of parts, but I'm getting the motor for next to nothing so at least I'll have a refreshed head and all new OEM timing components. Hopefully it lasts awhile. As soon as the parts arrive she's getting towed to the shop. I'll update once I get some definitive answers.
Thanks guys for all your help. I'd be lost without ya.

Bummer man, good luck with your new build. It sounds like your doing everything you can to keep that next motor running healthy, we have all been there.

I would take the head to a machine shop to check if it has been warped or not, buy new headstuds, new o rings for the injectors, get an OEM metal head gasket . If you have the money I'd buy a new thermostat and when your car is running get a coolant/compression test just to be safe.