1996 Pontiac Bonneville exhaust system problems

On 02/18/2002, 04:20 am, my wife went to start the car to let it warm up before going to work. Upon start up, there was an explosion and there was a fire instantly. I ran out and rolled the car out of the carport and into the back yard. The neighbor came running with a fire extingusher and put out the fire just before the fire department arrived. There was a recall (your number 96v116000). The upper intake manafold did fracture from one end to the other...gapping open about two and a half inches..

Car was at aproximately 87000. Turned the car on, there was a loud explosion and smoke came out from under the hood, didnt see any flames, popped open the hood, and smoke just continued to pile out. Engine light came on, and the mechanic found the engine was on its last breath. Had engine relaced for a used engine with 4500 miles on it for $1500. Soon after the engine the alternator started to die, where just by standing next to the car you can hear metal to metal grinding noise coming from it.