Define "Blown Engine"

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Dec 23, 2025 | 06:36 PM

#11

foxtrapper

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Joined: Nov 2012

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From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose_NC;[url=tel:22183078

22183078[/url]]I see the phrase "blown engine" tossed about. To me, it means irreparable engine, like rod thought the case. Pistons connecting with valves and destroying the heads and maybe jugs. But a severe engine issue that require replacement components, not just a rebuild.

Yeah, catastrophic internal failure has always been the basic definition of a blown engine as I’ve long used and understood. Sometimes rebuildable, sometimes not. Usually darned expensive if it is rebuildable.

Dec 23, 2025 | 06:44 PM

#12

s-glide76

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Joined: May 2017

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From: Phoenix

Thrown rod, busted crank. I consider a motor "blown" if the rotating assembly (crank, rods, and pistons) needs replaced.

Dec 23, 2025 | 07:40 PM

#13

Paintslinger16

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From: Milwaukee, WI

Commonly, a blown engine is repairable, but it’s quicker to replace it with a crate motor.
blown, is a catch all, excessive oil consumption, from worn rings, blown head gaskets, spun a crank bearing all equal blown. The extreme rod through the block or pan of course is still blown but that’s it motor is a boat anchor now.

In my opinion it does need to be diagnosed, cranking pressure, leak down etc. what is the extent?, a blown head gasket is completely repairable unless you continue to try and run it, rings you go through oil.
And it won’t have much power, no one will like to be behind you, but you can run like that for a good bit, the old days it was common to have a winter beater that burned oil, but actually didn’t run bad.

My hot rod truck was exactly like that, ran great idled well but was using a quart a week. I drove it for two weeks, pulled it for a crate engine. Drop in and running as opposed to all the machine work expense and time as the rebuild entails.

Dec 24, 2025 | 09:10 AM

#14

MarlinSpike

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From: Black Hills of SD

My view of the term "Blown Engine" is an engine that has had a failure of a major mechanical part of the actual engine, to the point it cannot function any longer. Not necessarily catastrophic, but enough that the engine can not continue to function and provide propulsion. Example's, Valves, valve train, cam, cramk, piston, rings, block, rods etc... Posiblty repairable.
Catastrophic is major damage that results in instant loss of propulsion and major damage to internal components. Not repairable without major parts replacement.

Like NASCAR,,,, "She done Blowed her up boys".