[OA5599]

There might be more to your story, but piston slap will not cause sudden catastrophic engine failure. It's usually just an embarrassment and cause for more oil consumption.

If both mechanics said the entire engine had to be replaced instead of rebuilt, why not just drive back home in the Jeep instead of flying & towing?

[Still Thinking]

Exactly my question. If it’s believed that the engine is toast anyway, you risk nothing by driving. If the engine fails halfway home, you save on both towing and plane tickets, and if it doesn’t you avoid them altogether.

[ozzymandus]

It can be very expensive not to know anything about cars. And do you really need an $1800 fridge?

[cableguymn]

Heck my Gm 3600 in my uplander has been slapping for about 100,000 miles now ;)

Some say they came out of the factory slapping.