I just replaced my spark plugs with zex (now i found out they are terrible) and then I put the plenum back on (eclipse GT) and I started then engine and there was a sound that at first seemed to me like something bouncing around in the engine or sitting ontop of the intake lifters, so I took it all back apart and found nothing, I removed the spark plug out of the front far right (drivers side) cylinder and it was smashed in, as if something bounced in the cylinder like the noise seemded to suggest. I put the old spark plugs back in and there was a kind of grinding sound but no more bouncing. I then took the plenum back off and cranked the engine without spark plug wires, sounded perfect. put it all back on, started it and the grinding was now a mechanical ticking clunky but a little bit grindy sound. I took it all back apart again and checked the intake manifold; nothing. Putting it back together again now gives a kind of ticking sound, but all the times I've turned the starter without wires there was no ticking sound. When taking the spark plugs out or the oil cap off, there is smoke that comes out and it smells a little fowl, not so much when it ticks than when it grinds. I cant get the valve cover off to check but the car has been on jacks/and blocks for quite a while (could have drained lash adjusters?) should I try bleeding the lashers? or should I try other things before starting it again?

can anyone help?! i cant afford to take it into a shop

I just want to add that this is more of a grinding sound than lifter tick, like something is actually wrong with the engine, because it ends up smelling SO fowl, and neither the cai or the exhaust sound right

I wouldn't say you dropped a valve but it sounds like the piston hit the spark plug. (You said it was smashed after you took it back out) Possible a part of the plug is still in the cylinder and got caught between the piston and wall...best bet will be to pull the head and look at the damage. Your other option would be to stick a magnet through the spark plug hole and pray you will pull something out. Good Luck to you.

its definatly something in the valve train, not in the cylinder, i have it narrowed down...i think i need new lash adjusters?

Next step, Yank the valve cover off and look. If you need an adjuster...well get all of them, yea they arent cheap but you're already there. It's safe to say that the less you run it till its fixed the safer your engine will be.
Let me know how it goes, take a few pictures too if you dont mind.

ok so the update on this they acutally found a washer jammed between the piston rings and basically the machining makes it time to buy a new engine

i did a search and couldnt find this....but..would a 2003 gt engine fit in a 2001 gt i mean i'm pretty sure bolt wise it definatly would but like are all the sensors the same and will it all communicate with the ECU properly?

I doubt it.
Go here: http://www.jasperengines.com
Call 812) 482-1041 You'll get a price of about $4800.00 Or get a junk yard one and have it rebuilt.

I guess its time to save up more money.

Sorry to hear what happened. Good luck to ya.

i have a junkyard engine with the same amount of miles as mine for like 500 bucks...i turned down a jasper engine twice..i cant afford it, plus i'm putting Low comp pistons in it so its gunna be even worse i wonder if all of the sensors can be swapped out?

i mean since both engines are a 6g72 code and should have the same ecu...shouldnt I be able to swap out a 6g72 for another 6g72? i mean I really only need it for the fact that the head and cylinder arent trashed, so everything from my old engine could bolt back up. will the ECU and well any internal computer notice if the physical engine is different even if its the same code of engine?

ok actually just found a used 2001 eclipse gt engine...ok so if its an 01 gt to an 01 gt engine swap...do i need to worry about ecu or anything? or will the parts swap and work?

SHOULD be just fine.
Good luck =)