Bent rod 90% of the time looks OK to the casual observer.

Yes, you can but kinda need to measure for size to help yourself out. Doesn't matter which hole it comes from.

The scuffmarks you mention may be far more important, often there can be a crack under any marks there.

Check the intake for blowup debris, people have fixed them to tear them up instantly when leftovers came out of intake to do it again. ALL the runners, not just the one that failed.

 

Upon further review, it looks like this Focus I bought had previously dropped the #4 valve seat. The rod in the number 4 cylinder has a 3 stamped on it and must have already been replaced with a used piston and rod. The head is banged up, but may have already had new valve guides put in it. Any way to tell for sure? Compression on all 4 cylinders was 190-200 psi on my gauge prior to tear down. There are no metal pieces anywhere in engine, intake, EGR. I t was making some rattling noise and running poorly. Turned out the timing belt tensioner has lost it's bearings and timing belt had jumped about 15 degrees. Thinking to reuse piston and rod. Not sure about head?

 

Compression on all 4 cylinders was 190-200 psi on my gauge prior to tear down.

That's good..... um..... [scratch] Teardown?

 

The SEATS get changed not the guides.......make sure the water and vacuum hoses at intake don't get mixed up or you fill the intake with water...........

 

Yes, seats.
I guess I need a photo of correct hose routing if someone has one, so I don't mess it up if it is easy to do. I marked a few hoses, but probably am relying too much on memory. I've rebuilt several engines, but this is my virginal focus experience!

 

The $100 Focus is back on the road! New rebuilt head, head bolts, rings, rod bearings, gaskets, camshaft seal, water pump, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, sway bar link. Total cost in parts (courtesy of ebay) $340. Ready for its 50 mile oil change. When does everyone switch from conventional oil after a rebuild to semi-synthetic or synthetic or do you?

 

Semi synthetic is the factory fill, might give it more than 50 miles on the first change but don't see any reason not to go for it then.

 

I'd change it simply to get any trash out that backyard work can inter inside motor.

And yes, that is a word, look it up.

 

I would infer from your post that you, Sir, are a sesquipedalian.

Inter
verb (used with object), interred, interring.
1.
to place (a dead body) in a grave or tomb; bury.
2.
Obsolete. to put into the earth.

 

Lmfao thanks for a good laugh this morning!!!

 

You have to be long winded to be correct in today's world. Why short twitter answers are so often wrong. It's the unsaid that often kills you.

Why so many who can't pay attention to the whole thing are so doomed to utter failure.