96 grand caravan problem

the other day i was driving on the interstate at about 70mph, got off at my exit and started to hear a really loud knocking sound. luckily there was a gas station nice and close to the exit.

i had it towed home and tore it apart to find that my rocker arm shaft had broken and took part of the head out with it (its the back head and the left 2 valves looking at it) that broke off. the part of the head was the actually where you connect the shaft on the far left side.

i can get pictures of it if needed but do you have any clue what would make it do that and if i can actually fix it instead of replacing the head.

all help is greatly appreciated

Jason

up....

hasnt anyone ever had a problem like this?

JT

is it still an open issue. if so i had the exact same problem on mine, except it was the front head on my v6. i have pictures i could send of the broken mount for the rocker shaft and the broken shaft. well what i did was i welded the rocker shaft back together with my wire feed welder and cleaned it up. and the i drilled out the hole deeper in the broken off shaft mount so it went deeper in the head and tapped it. and then took the piece that broke off and drilled a thru hole thru it so i could basically use that piece for a spacer. i then bought a long bolt that would pass thru the rocker shaft and then thru the mount piece that broke off and screw into the new deeper threaded hole that i made in the head. it works great and i havent had an issue with it. plus i was able to do all of this while the head stayed on the van.

hope this helps
gmac454

thanks for the input on it that will help tremendously.... i have an estimate for a new head to get put in, get a valve job on the good head and all gaskets and fluids for 1100...

this sounds way cheaper..
some pictures would be great. if you have a chance drop them in my email...thereal_JT@yahoo.com

JT