Have a look. I got the starter off finally (it's amazing how much harder it is to work on one that's an auto vs. a 5 speed). I noticed when I dropped the skid plate that there were signs of things to come (pieces of the side of the block ) I didn't expect anything less, so I was still determined. I found this after removing the starter..





Guess which hole isn't supposed to be there and you win a prize!

Here's how she looks for the most part right now.




Sorry for the cruddy pictures, I loaned out my digital still camera and all i've got is my DV cam, and the stills aren't that great.

 

So how did it happen?

 

my guess is a rod. Not sure though, I bought it after the fact.