Wow that is phenomenally bad luck.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Who did your rebuild? Or less specifically, so as not to tarnish names, was it someone who knows mr2s well?
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
From what you've written of their work here, and assuming their work is competent, the only two big things I notice are cooling and charging systems I guess.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Could there be a bu88ered wire/ground leading to a faulty alternator circuit? That presents dash board lights aplenty.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Also, what revision is the engine? Peter Gidden has highlighted an issue with a wire in Rev2
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
(I believe) engine alternators.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
I can't really imagine how the cooling system would've caused this.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
You'd have seen your engine cook.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Mind you given your smoke.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
What colour was it?? The knocking is bizarre as well
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
- was the engine new as you suggest or was it your old one rebuilt? A recording of the knocking would help but from what I've seen, knocking
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
= engine is a goner.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
My naive estimation based on what you've written is a fault in the charging circuit.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
I hope this all gets sorted for you easy enough.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
You should be able to discuss this with the garage and have it remedied by them.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Of course even the best guys here can't really diagnose without examining the car.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)