engine problems

[79cherokeechief]

i just bought my very first fsj last week i paid $700 for a 79 cherokee chief with a list of problems but the body is good shape. The lady i bought it from said her husband had the tranny, xfer case and engine redone about three years ago but something let go in the engine and has sat for two years. Well when i tore into the engine i found that the intake pushrod for cylinder #6 was broke in half and lying in the valley (ouch). After removing both heads i noticed that pistons 6, 1, 7 have parts of the tops missing and you could see the top compression ring (thats why these cylinders only had 30psi on the compression test. Weird thing is there is no sign of the missing parts of the pistons the only thing i can think of is the PO had removed them and reinstalled the heads???? anyway no damage to the cylinder walls. Ill probably just do a shortblock exchange since they are about $500 but im a bit scared of remanufactured engines they are usually junk. Any tips would be appreciated.

[Banks]

79 chief,welcome to the forum.Man,you came out of the gate with a major "first time owner" problem!Sounds like the engines toast,so this is probably usless information,but,sounds like preignition burned up the pistons,pieces "blended well", possibly jammed #6 intake valve which broke pushrod,and spit the remains out the exhaust.Anyway,I would definatly have the heads looked at[for bent valves,etc.]if your going to use them on a new shortblock.Good luck. Marc :eek: :cool: