I was driving on the highway and all of a sudden the motor started making noises like metal breaking and falling out from under the truck. It sounded like the noise was coming from the starter area and I don't think anything actually fell out of the bottom. The truck lost power and eventually died. I came to a stop and the starter will not even turn over sort of like when the battery is dead. I am assuming that I have major damage and will need a new engine.

I have searched and could not come up with anything. I would like to know what all my options are as far as vehicles that have a 3.0 that will drop right in. Also, what do you think happened to my truck? The timing was off and the spout connector was not hooked up but I did not think that mattered. I have just replaced the head gaskets and it was running fine for 2 weeks except for the timing at idle.

Thanks in advance.