>>>*Changing the head gasket would have zero effect on the engine's bottom end, rather than causing a failure it far more likely would keep a failure from happening.

Now what could happen is a severe coolant leak might hydraulic lock a cylinder. This would perhaps bend a rod, in that event then of course the rod could break.

All this would mean is not all of the repairs were done in the first place.

*Easy stuff to check for, run the pistons up to the top, if they come all the way then a rod is not likely damaged.

Of course, if the crankcase is full of what looks like chocolate milk, it just might be a good idea to pull the oil pan if she ran any distance that way....*EB