[Emoticon not found] i'm sorry.

i'm at pismo beach.

that is most likely the "big end bearings". they're not supposed to be in my spark plug...

the big end bearings are on the big end of the crank. when they go, they usually trash the race they belong in, and a good chunk of the crank too. so a new crank and a couple new sets of bearings (replace the other ones -- the ones that didn't necessarily go out -- because they're prob'ly next)

most of the time they tear up the piston and the cylinder while they're rattling around. (so that's a new cylinder and head... i can't really rebore the cylinder i've got)

and usually (since you've got to tear the whole thing apart anyway) you replace a grip of seals while you're at it.

basically it means dropping the engine and doing a complete rebuild. i'm pretty stoked.

but i'll know the extent of the damage for sure once i take it apart.

So those really are bearing in a spark plug. And I thought I just didn't know what part I was looking at. I'm glad you know what you're doing there. I wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to rebuild an engine.

Wow, I got two rides too. I thought fer shure you had more. Shoot. I thought this thread was going to be about the end of all Stellas in general, which is another sad story.

My prayers are with your stella.