No,if it got to the bearings for some time,it caused friction which removed metal bearing surface. All you can do now is drive it and come up with the money for a motor,new,used,your call.

 

Dont see your pics when I click on the link?Find out what the cause of of oil pressure lause if you can.Do what spittbay said drop some 50 weight oil in and drive till she blows.Meanwhile if you dont have the cash for a replaceent engine you save up.I have done the samething with engines that have had slight rod knocks before.Quiets the engine gives it better oil pressure.Every oil change I went with 20w-50

 

water in oil is a death sentence. If caught quickly, and i mean QUICKLY it can be saved. But especially if it sat with coolant in the oil its toast. Sorry to be pessimistic but I'm currently replacing a motor that was ran mixing coolant and oil for 2 weeks minimum (we arnt sure how long). But is was so long that when we drained the oil the coolant wasnt seperating from the oil, just a chocolate milkshake color with the consistancy of maple syrup. Just run it till it dies, dont run 50 weight that will speed it up as far as the lifters go. Max run 10w-30. The 4.3 can idle safely at 5 psi, the factory gauge will show it at pretty much 0.

 

Hate to disagree but with some heavier oil and motor honey you will get better pressure and oil to the top end. Only way to make them run a little longer, IMO, for what it's worth. Do some alternate source checking and see what you come up with.

 

Agreed with Spittybays.As previously mention I have ran 50 weight engines that had a slight rod knock and it quieted the engine plus ran higher oil pressure.The only exception to this is if its real cold then run a block heater to keep the oil warm.I know this from experience I had a 94 G20 sportvan with the 4.3.The engine I desribed was the one that was in the van.I drove like this for 2 years before a coin fell down into the throttle body then through the valve train On another note I had a 305 in a 78 caprice that was knocking so bad.I put 80-90 gear oil in it.It not only stopped the knocking bit it ran 60psi oil pressure.

 

i found a broken dipstick tube could this affect the oil pressure?

 

Sorry, no, only if its leaking so much oil you don't have any.

 

Agreed it wont affect the oil pressure,Have you removed your distributor to check and see if the oil shaft retainer broke yet?

 

No the weather has been bad, so it'll be on my next day off. When i pull the distributor where will the retainer be located at? I don't remember seeing anything on the distributor shaft.

 

i have close to the same issue, my oil pressure starts off at 50-60 depending on how cold it is out, then it drops to 25-30 after running for a bit, iv got a slight knock but nothing bad, iv drivin it over 30,000 miles and still keeps ticking, go mudding and everything, if youve got no coolant or water in your oil when you do changes you should be fine with a slighty thicker oil, i switched to 10-40 and i have had no problems, best of luck to you, used engines are semi cheap for a 4.3 bout 500