1999 Intrepid 2.7L that ate a sparkplug

I have a question relating to a 1999 Dodge Interpid that ate a spark
plug at 160k. I have pulled the head and found that is toast - tiny
ceramic peices puverized into the head on cyl #5. The piston is also
pretty scuffed up and I have thoughts of dropping the pan and
replacing that. Alls good except the sleeve is also toast and I have
the question if I can press in a new one. I found a place that makes
sleeves (LA Sleeve) but I don't know if I can replace it or not
myself. I would rather not pull the block but I think you have heat
the whole thing to 400F and I can't do that in the car (unless I start
a fire under it which has occured to me albeit for other reasons).

Is there a slide hammer that will pull it? Can I replace the sleeve
anyway or is it cast in?

I would really appreciate any feedback or guidance you can give me.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

You'd be smart to consider changing the engine to a different one (the
3.2 or 3.5). There are sites that give the information on what's
involved to make the change, including costs (maybe someone here can
provide a link).

The 2.7 engine has certain risks that may come to fruition after you
spend all that time and money to make it right again - all that money
down the drain. Sell the engine - they are in short supply (and
demanding high dollar) because of said risks, and someone will be
willing to rebuild it - let them take the risk.

You might check out the www.dodgeintrepid.net forums - there's a guy
that hangs out there that makes a living in rebuilding bad 2.7's.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Thanks Bill. I will have to consider that - it seems that there a lot
of these motors in junk yards with 'knocks'.

Jeff W