Running Inverted - damage?

[MojaveJoe]

OK. so I was broadsided by a semi-tractor at about 40mph. Impact occurred from behind my drivers seat all along the bed as i passed in front of his huge steel front bumper.
The impact rolled my truck 3 times landing on it tires. The whole sequence likely too less than 10 seconds. (Yes, I walked away, and now have proof these trucks are truly built "RamTough")

Stopped rolling, tires down, about 75 feet from from impact, engine running at red line for about 5 seconds until I realized what the high pitched sound was. Removed foot from throttle pedal and turned off engine maybe 30 seconds after impact.

The good part - When the tractor's bumper dug into my left rear wheel, the differential stopped, the first weld on my aluminum drive shaft sheared clean off, right in front of the diff.
The drive shaft then slipped out of the transmission/transfer case tailpiece and fell to the ground as i rolled away. Cursory inspection of tailpiece showed no obvious cracks or breaks.

The engine however was inverted 3 times, running at red line for maybe 3 seconds each time. When I removed my foot from the throttle, it idled down normally, and after 5 seconds I turned off the motor.

Considering the engine and transmission were in normal driving mode at the time of the accident, how much damage was likely to either component? The engine compartment and trans area where not damaged as far as i can tell. There were still no fluid leaks a week after event.

Wondering if i should try to buy back my truck from the insurance company and salvage my sweet running 5.9 and my recently rebuilt $5K 48RE. What would you do?

Any and all advice and experiences welcome.

 

[jgillott]

First and foremost, I'm very happy that you are OK.

Years ago, a buddy of mine got an engine out of a rolled 24-valve that had run for several minutes inverted. We used it to mock up twins piping, etc. on a bench. Anyway, we tore it down one day for the fun of it. From running upside down, all but one cylinder was scored (we figured it stopped oiling after all the oil ran out of the pan). It also eventually drove a push rod through the valve cover.

My gut tells me that your engine probably made it through OK, but there is the potential of serious damage. I wonder if you would be able to inspect the engine, run it, etc. before you would decide to buy the truck back.

 

[Bob4x4]

It should be fine .Roll over engine damage is normally hydrolocking after the cylinders fill with oil while sitting upside down upon attempted restart without clearing the cylinders.Do check the block for damage at the engine mount area

 

[Regcabguy]

Be very wary of signing a release from the insurance company for a cash settlement. In California now you have two years to settle. Be sure and get checked out thoroughly if you haven't already. My neck's sore everyday and it's been 15 yrs since I was the wall in the crash tests and got rear ended @ 45mph.
You got tagged laterally and waaay harder.
My Trooper sustained 13K in damage and was never right.

 

[cerberusiam]

Gut feel is the engine\trans\t-case is fine. Have driven a couple rolled engines for a lot of miles after making sure they did not hydro lock on start up, trans also. If you aren't seeing leaks that would be a really good sign.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow. Thank GOD you've survived that! I hope you got some legal support and yes don't rush to settle at all! I hope you can salvage plenty from your rig. Yes I would buy it back if possible. Rip it all down and check it over good- already mentioned, try to get a visual on all the cases for physical damage/ cracking.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Buy it back and part it out, trying to recoup that $5K transmission will take
time. I suggest you forget that transmission investment, and look at the big picture based on what the ins. co. offers. Don't vapor lock on that transmission!
Greg

 

[MojaveJoe]

Thanks guys..that's a tremendous amount of support and just what I needed for info to move forward. Im having my shop assess the engine and trany damage next week. Im confused if i need to let them give the evaluation to the insurance adjusters who will come to see it? IMO Iam paying the tab for the analysis so i can make a good decision about what it's worth to me as salvage. If they know the numbers my salvage value goes up when id like to keep it around $1000-1500. If I do end up buying it, but get a 6.7L with a newer 68RFE what would be the best way to sell it engine still in the chassis. My shop says they have an adjuster who does their work and they can get a quote from him, so maybe I will give that one the info Im paying for. Appreciate all your advice.

P.S. Only medical Im dealing with now is a possible concussion which was not obvious on day of accident with CT scan. Taking meds now, but off them tomorrow, after 1 week. Guess i will see what happens being off meds for a month before I sign off on the bodily injury claim.

(This forum has saved my bacon more than once over the past 11 years, and is worth every scent of $35/yr to me. thank you TDR )

 

[Regcabguy]

I'd take Wayne's advice and get a competent lawyer,not one of those that advertises. Don't even think of signing off for at least a year. They're going to dangle a carrot in front of you and inform you that the medical expenses and lawyer fees come off the top which is accurate but a far fairer settlement will be still gained from legal representation.
You got nailed by the looks of the truck. More medical conditions may arise as any physical therapist or doctor will tell you.
Good luck and health.
P.S. They also owe you a rental vehicle as you're deprived of wheels.
They won't admit that.

 

[MojaveJoe]

Thanks Regcabgoy. Iam just beginning the settlement process thru my own insurance carrier. Plan to settle the property damage side thru state farm. Intend to let the medical settlement ride for about 20 months then see what I feel like, and make a decision. This is a real PIA, and can totally screw up your future planning. Sure did mine. #@$%!

 

[sag2]

I would guess they will want 3-5k or so for the truck. The property settlement should be pretty straight forward. They settled mine in a couple of weeks to my satisfaction. The injury part is another story. My wife got hit in my truck 2 1/2 years ago and we finally had to sue them. State Farm (both vehicles) has been the worst to deal with ever. They change adjusters every few months, and no one knows anything. They are still only offering her medical bills (approx 20k now), nothing for all the pain she has and all the things she can no longer do. There are a few things in CA that you can do so you don't have to repay 100% of the settlement to repay the medical providers. It is a slow and painful process. No telling when ours will end.

 

[Tuesdak]

If all else fails post up the salvage buyback on here and maybe a member on here would buy it.

 

[MojaveJoe]

sag2....now that's a nightmare I hope to avoid on the BI side of this.

JDoremire...good idea. After my shop gives me the analysis of the 5.9 and built 48RE, I will only need the buyback numbers. Maybe in a week or two.

 

[Mathes308]

Rolled and running upside down is different than rolled and running right side up.
Running while rolling likely does far less damage than a cold start after being parked for a week.
As fast as a crash happens centrifugal force alone would make the engine feel like nothing happened.

Even running upside down should never score Pistons, they would be bathed in oil, more likely any scoring was already present before the accident.