KuHL 951

Not to question your mechanic or anything but you never mentioned a knocking sound. From the photo you posted the OPRV is clearly toasted, why don't you just do the OPRV seals first and see if #2 is making noise before you commit to a new motor?. You can't lose anything if it does knock but might gain the cost of repairing the entire engine. Call me doubtful but how did he determine it's a rod bearing? Did he put good OPRV on it and then heard the knock or did he actually drop the pan and see it himself? As they say a second opinion might be in order here.

CO944

I worded that really badly.
We did replace the seal. Fired it up.. after a min or so.. there is a loud knocking.
Not just the upper end noise but the lower end noise as well. So I am planning
on getting a new motor.. doing a full gasket set and timing belt and water pump
prior to installation.

Mighty Shilling

it was sad and painful to listen to. but yes... it's very very sad...