Hi Marc,

What a disheartening thing to happen!

 >> The bottom end of a piston crank was
 >> sticking up through the top of the engine

You might mean the "connecting rod", since thats what often presents
itself after a catastrophic engine failure. It is supposed to connect
the piston to the crankshaft inside the cylinder.

Did you check the OIL before you had it towed back to the dealer?

The noises you describe sound like they could have been caused by a
low/no oil related engine failure, and a con rod through the case would
support that conclusion.

If it was a dealer error, I can only hope they fess up to it and make it
good for you.

Please keep us posted.

Best wishes.
Derek -