hi mike, really sounds like a bearing has let go, i think you are correct as it sounds like a big end bearing, either way you have to pull the motor and to be honest for the cost of a jap used motor which are generally pretty low milage and fitting i think its a lot better option than messing around with a conrod bearing, the bearing sounds bad enough that it has probably damaged the crankshaft so it would need to have the crankshaft pulled out and then regrind the journal,this would cost you a fair bit so i reckon all up the used jap motor would be a better option, reliability wise and cost wise,. how long have you had the car, i have had mine for about 6 months, one owner but in fantastic condition, they drive superb dont they.
cheers
fergi
Bearing gone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unZMQ0SP610
Bearing has disappeared !! (almost) and there is 5-10mm pf play in the con rod where it connects to the crankshaft.
There is soft sludgy metal in the bottom of the sump (I assume the disintegrated bronze or other soft metal bearing shell) but there are not chunks or solid metal pieces
I know best practice would probably be a crank shaft regrind etc - But the engine has 300,000Km on it so I was thinking of using a very fine wet n dry paper to clean what I can off the crankshaft and put new bearing shells on it and clean up and hope for the best .. I know it might not be the smoothest engine after this but at least it will run and as I said before the car isn't worth more than 2-3K
Bear in mind this engine has done 300,000KM (200,000 miles plus) so I really don't want to go to the effort of pulling it out - If I get anothe 20,000 out of it I'll be happy.
There seems to be a reference in the manual to some sort of over sizing on the bearing - It says mark 1 mark 2 and mark 3 - What does this refer to - There is a number 2 stamped on the con rod cap .?