Mitsubishi Repair: blown engine, mitsubishi eclipse spyder, bolt torque

Question
Hi,
I purchased a 97 mitsubishi eclipse spyder automatic gst TODAY, from a private seller due to the fact it didnt have plates or a moving permit I just drove it basically around the block. I purchased it and then it was delivered to my home. I took it out about a mile to the freeway and it wouldnt go past 60 i let off on the gas it started to make almost like a grinding sound and then white smoke from the engine, the seller came out with a mechanic buddy and said i had put it on overdrive and blown the engine, all the engine in the engine spilled out. One of the pistons was on the freeway. The engine had previously been rebuilt (the headers in late nov 10) is it possible to cause so much damage in 3 miles of having driven it?

Answer
Randy,
That would be a new one for me to see a piston fall out of the engine!  This sounds like when the engine was rebuilt, it was not done properly.  Improperly lubricated parts, improper bolt torque, misaligned head gaskets, and wrongly installed timing components can all cause these things to happen.  Simply driving the car at 60 mph (overdrive on or off) should not cause a problem like this.  The only way 3 miles of driving could have caused damaged would be if you were able to drive it 1st gear continuously, while past the red line, and no RPM rev limiter in place.
Good luck!