Hey guys joined this forum about 6 days ago when i bought a 96 olds bravada with 174,000. 2 days ago driving down the highway I instantly lost oil pressure and have a real bad rod knock. So its decision time...the truck is in awesome condition zero rust so I think its worth saving. I have never had a vehicle blow a motor before so i guess my question is what are my options? I appreciate any feedback!

 

my first guess would be junkyard engine.
prob run ya 600.00 or so for around a 100k motor.
thats what i have done on my other car.
yank yours, drop in the replacement and send the old one to the yard. i know around here they require you return your old one to them, core deposit i guess you could call it.

 

It's all a matter of what kind of money you want to put into it really.

 

-cough- 350 swap -cough-

 

^ great idea

 

Well I got a used 4.3 dropped off in the garage today. I would love to go to a 350 but its my DD and this is my first engine swap. Would you guys recommend redoing all the gaskets? PO said he had no leaks or issues but a head gasket and intake gasket is alot easier when its chilling outside of the engine compartment.

 

I would definitely rather do that outside the vehicle, complete PITA while in it, just did it myself in Feb. It takes longer to get all the accessory and air stuff out of the way than it does to actually change those gaskets. You may want to put a new spider in while you've got it open too. Linder fuel injection has them ffor $300 brand-new

 

Yeah you might as well

 

Ok so today we are pulling the motor out and redoing gaskets on the donor. I am going to do valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets and rear main seal. I plan on using Fel-pro gaskets. Any of you guys have experience with these? All the research I have done says they are good. Any other suggestion while I'm at it?

 

New plugs while they are easy to get to!