Fun With Busted Motor

[brokengsx]

OK HERES THE DEAL. 2 WEEKS AGO, I HAD A CHARGING ISSUE. I FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH AN ALTERNATOR, BUT NOW I HAVE A NEW, WONDERFUL GREMLIN TO DEAL WITH. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AND HAD TO CHANGE LANES. I CHANGED LANES AND MY CAR STALLED. POPPED THE CLUTCH TO GET IT STARTED(STILL COASTING ALONG AT 60) AND THE MOTOR DIESELED UNTIL I GOT TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED, SO I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND 'THE DSM HEAD OUT THE WINDOW LISTENING TO THE CAR BIT' BUT DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABNORMAL UNTIL I GOT TO A RED LIGHT AND NOTICED ON MY AFTERMARKET OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS READING VERY, VERY LOW. WHEN DRIVING, THE PRESSURE IS ALSO LOWER THAN USUAL. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE THINKS ITS A SPUN/WORN CRANK BEARING, BUT WON'T PULL THE OIL PAN TO CHECK IT. IS THIS THE MOST LIKELY SUSPECT, AND NOT THE OIL PUMP? I'VE GOT 90,000 ON THE BOTTOM END AND BOOST HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER THAN 16PSI. AND IF I DO NEED A SHORT BLOCK, WHAT IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY IF YOU CAN'T REBUILD THE MOTOR YOURSELF? SHOULD I GO WITH A PRE ASSEMBLED BLOCK FROM KNOWN TUNERS LIKE JACKSON OR PRUVEN, OR SHOULD I TRY AND FIND SOMEBODY TO BUILD IT FOR ME? I WAS HOPING FOR ANOTHER YEAR BEFORE THIS QUESTION WOULD BE ASKED BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN(AND LIVES UP TO MY SCREEN NAME)THANKS FELLOW MEMBERS FOR YOUR INPUT.

 

[Mike1992]

Have it towed home and pull the oil pan yourself, take a look around.

 

[SuperSleeper]

Even by draining the oil and looking through the oil itself you should be able to get a better idea. If you find metal shavings in the oil, chances are you spun a bearing (which is definitely the most realistic cause of your problems)
As for replacing the motor, if you are able to get one full-assembled for a decent price, it would ultimately cost quite a bit less than having a shop rebuilding the motor.