[DeTomaso] Engine Question

[sean mundy]

Hi all,
We had a nice Winter day here in Seattle a couple weeks ago.
I decided to go for a quick spin and get the car warmed up and the juices flowing.  
Drove for about 10miles on the freeway and got off my exit and shifted down to 3rd and was cruising at about 30mph.  
Suddenly started hearing a clickity clacking noise coming from behind me.  
Immediately pulled over and shutdown and got out of the car to see what was going on.  
Didn't run over anything and everything was where it was supposed to be.  Hmm.
Get back in car and start the engine.  Noise is still there so immediately shut engine off.  
Obviously something is wrong with the engine.  Call for flatbed and get it back home.
Start autopsy by removing the valve covers and see nothing out of place.
Remove spark plugs so I can turn the engine over by hand and see if I can hear anything.  Uh Oh.
See pictures of number 4 spark plug
http://poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=34547
http://poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=34550
 
This looks obviously looks bad and I'm guessing that I'm a victim of the stock 2piece breaking in half and
bouncing around like popcorn inside the cylinder.
What do you think?
Next step, take the heads off and see how bad it really is.