[QUOTEI went the full monty only to find out it was a lower block lemon
][/QUOTE]
BUGGER[bawl]
Maybe the engine had got too hot too often that has caused this lower end problem.
When my D2a V8 blew a head gasket I shut it down when the temps exceeded 123C and had the truck sent by tilt tray to Whyatts in Geraldton.
I knew I was taking a big risk spending quite a lot of money getting the top end done But I am certain that IF the block was "Compromised" Whyatts would have informed me Before they went any further with the repairs, Luckily the only problem found in the block was a massive build up of sludge in the sump due to the PO Not servicing at regular intervals and the lifters needed to be replaced.
I have done 20k (Mainly towing a 1.5t boat) since the repairs and the engine is still as strong as it ever was and minus all the fluid leaks it used to have[thumbsupbig][bigrolf]