Larry, I'll bet that loud noise was the bad cylinder firing a charge by the head gasket. You've got to get the head off anyway, so when you do, measure the deck to piston crown distance with each one at TDC. This will tell you about rod damage (bending). I'm laying my money on a badly blown head gasket with no rod or piston damage. I'll bet ya!!
BTW, Donnie told me the bottom end of the M103 is really strong. Keep a stiff upper lip, this too will pass

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Jeff Lawrence
1987 300e
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 07-31-2000).]