Okay guys. My truck as been running great up until about two days ago. My wife and I was driving back from her dads house to ours about a 10mile trip when i look down and to my horror the gauge is registering absoultely no oil pressure. anyways i use my crutches and hobble over to the front of truck and check the oil and its a little under a half a quart low. So i put a half quart in check it again to make sure its full and i start on the way home then The starts to make this metal scapping sound after i get to about 45mph but it quickly stops after i am going faster or slower than the 45. Now the truck is running just awful but the flowmasters are so loud i can't tell were exactly the noise is coming from. Since i just had a major surgery done two weeks ago on my left foot i am having trouble standing long enough to diagnois. However being worried i took my truck to two mechanics and each one has told me that aounds like my oil pump is weak and that i probably need new Rod bearings and Main bearings plus new oil pump. This Engine is a 302 with 275,000 Miles according to the speedo. The people i got the truck from said they thought the engine had been replaced but i have no way of saying yes or no. In all honesty . this is what i need to know would it be better to replace oil pump and rod and main bearings or go ahead and find a low mileage 351w to replace it with. I am not a mechanic but it would seem to me that replace all that stuff would be like putting a bandaid on already serious problem. ALso a little more info is that my truck does have mass air flow and a 4r70w tranny. I know i asked before and Paul(conaski) said the mass air computer would run the 351w. sorry for the book and any help would be great thanks.

 

I would either do a complete rebuild of the 302 or replace it. With that many miles, I wouldn't just do a quick fix. I'd much rather do it once, than have to open it all up again. I too am planning a 351W swap. Since your truck has MAF its not a very difficult swap.

 

Thats what i was thinking. I was thinking a common sence approach would be to go ahead and do the 351w swap i been wanting plus replace both my tanks that are rusted and leaking.

 

Besides a 1994 or newer 351w. What upgrades do I do while it's out. Just want a good dependable engine with 300-350hp and 375-400tq

 

stroker kit, heads, intake, cam, headers.

 

I am cool with everything but the stroker kit... was only thinking a .030 overbore. stock crank.

 

You could do a cam and or heads.

My plan is probably going to be just a stock 351.

 

I am right there with ya. I want a stock 351w with a couple of power adders and Headers with True dual exhaust. I would be just happy as a fat kid in a twinkie factory with that combonation. I just want a dependable truck. The 302 that i had was truely reliable and only problem i ever had was now and it is actually still running. Going to baby it until September because i part at the end of the ramp at the fair grounds and watch the demo derby from the bed of my truck. After that i am going to take "dumplin" out of commision and start the tear down. Probably will be down all winter until i get all the parts and stuff down. Probably about january of 2012 i will begin the rebuild. at least that is my plan as of right now.