Actually it sounds like you spun a rod bearing (most likly a seconday) and the fragments got in the oil channel, blocking it, causing pressure build up and the only way the pressure could escape was through the weakest point in the engine, it just happened to be your filter(or adjacent area).....With out definate proof of htere fault i believe you might be stuck fitting the bill.
Something like this is hard to prove that it was the shops fault, check to see if the have the timming correct on the car when they changed the tensioners.
But to me it sounds like the shop being responsible and fair (surprising!). 1500 installed is not that bad for a used motor. I suggest going with a 3 liter upgrade instead.I would reconmend shop shop, but from what i hear there customer service is serverly lacking...you can find a high quality one, and get it installed all for about 2000 to 2500 dollars. (cheaper since the dealer is so willing to help you) Contact Terry haines to see if he can get you a 3 liter, or David Z off of the NECO boards, hes a great guy and knows where tog et top quality stuff.
Im sorry to be such a bringer of bad news.....I hope everyhting works out.
Roz
Last edited by Roz 1999 SVT-C; 05/09/03 04:53 PM.