Unusual description.
There are thrust washers on the crank. They must be bad.
Unlikely that it can be fixed without the motor coming out.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Sounds like your crank is broken into two parts.

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76 240 D. Bought in 1998 for $25.
85 300D. Got it for free with a bad engine. ( Sold )
60 Unimog 404. What was left of it, was given to me. Now powerd by 617A.
88 560 SEL. Bought without engine and trans. Now powerd by 617A.
67 250 SE. Cuope. For resto or sale.
64 220SE. For resto.

I don't think that is the case as it will start and run, just sounds horrible while running. I'll have a chance to hear it in person tomorrow. I suppose there's not much more I can say till I hear it.

__________________
Cousin Dave
83' 300SD 250k+ and going strong!

Take the best that exists, make it better!
If it doesn't exist, create it!
Accept nothing nearly right or good enough!

This engines will run with a broken crank.

Was this engine ever rebuild?

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76 240 D. Bought in 1998 for $25.
85 300D. Got it for free with a bad engine. ( Sold )
60 Unimog 404. What was left of it, was given to me. Now powerd by 617A.
88 560 SEL. Bought without engine and trans. Now powerd by 617A.
67 250 SE. Cuope. For resto or sale.
64 220SE. For resto.

Can't say that it was. I'll have to ask that detail tomorrow. 141k original miles on a car that has near perfect exterior paint and beautiful interior, I can't imagine that it had been ...but stranger things have happened.

The engine does start, and I will be seeing it run tomorrow. Still can't wrap my brain around the idea of an engine running with a snapped crank. I've replaced the head gasket on my own 617 and do understand the crazy robustness of this engine. Perhaps the owner will allow me to drop his oil pan and take a peak of his bottom end, hehe.

__________________
Cousin Dave
83' 300SD 250k+ and going strong!

Take the best that exists, make it better!
If it doesn't exist, create it!
Accept nothing nearly right or good enough!

Your crank is broken into two parts.
By your description, I would say around the second cylinder crank pin.
If you take the lower oil pan off, you may be able to see it.
You also can move the front of the crank in and out and see how much the flywheel moves.

__________________

76 240 D. Bought in 1998 for $25.
85 300D. Got it for free with a bad engine. ( Sold )
60 Unimog 404. What was left of it, was given to me. Now powerd by 617A.
88 560 SEL. Bought without engine and trans. Now powerd by 617A.
67 250 SE. Cuope. For resto or sale.
64 220SE. For resto.

Removing the oil pan is simple enough. I suppose if I average your guys thoughts, I should start with that and leave the top side alone for now.
Due to some "chores" I need to get done I'll likely not get to dig in deep till next week

ALL IN!

__________________
Cousin Dave
83' 300SD 250k+ and going strong!

Take the best that exists, make it better!
If it doesn't exist, create it!
Accept nothing nearly right or good enough!

Thanks for the lead! I'll look into the thrust washers and see if that could be it.

__________________
Cousin Dave
83' 300SD 250k+ and going strong!

Take the best that exists, make it better!
If it doesn't exist, create it!
Accept nothing nearly right or good enough!