Ran over an exposed manhole cover and destroyed my engine...

You should contact the city where it occurred. I got mine covered under their insurance.

Well sounds like you need a block. When I did mine, I knocked a softball size hole into the upper pan, cracked the upper down its length, and cleaved and shattered the lower pan. Just missed the oil pump.

I am trying to think of what you are talking about in the casting and where it came from. Of course the back of the motor is above the cross member so I am kind of wondering about your description. Must have done one hell of a number.

Where are you located? I think you can use a spica block with your ljet head without any issue. Of course you'll have to at least move your head over to the new block. You can source a decent used engine likely from APEDIRECT.COM which is alfa parts exchange in CA. Other sources too. Just depends on what you want to spend, and where you live.

Got a picture of the damage?

Best Regards,
John M

Yep, let me second (or third) what others have said. l work for a City's engineering department, and have worked for various local (city and county) governments almost all of my professional career--if you can document where the manhole was, when the damage occurred, and whatever else you can to show that it actually happened (like how low your car sits, etc.) and file a claim, the jurisdiction will likely ship it out to the contractor, etc., etc. until the claim is paid to you. It's a typical thing that happens on a daily basis, and claims like this are regularly built into the overall paving contract contingencies.

Frankly, if you don't file it, the contractor doesn't have any incentive (disincentive, really, through a reduced level of profit via an increase in his insurance premium) to finish the next job more quickly or post the danger better the next time.

I don't mean to diss my own business, but it IS a business; and if you don't receive a decent settlement you should consider talking to the City Council...it's a pain to speak up at a Council meeting sometimes, but it's worth it--it's about good customer service, after all, just like any other business where the customer matters.

Good luck!