I know the oil pump is part of the engine..and i think it went bad on my car. My oil pressure has been reading 0. At throttle..its JUST above the red zone..and around 2000rpms or higher there's a clanking, even while parked. If this part is replaced, does it kill my restoration plans as far as everything being original?

 

Internal engine parts don't count.
In a true resto ; only the block numbers have to be matching

 

Huh??? Come on man, you can't tell a joke witout giving us the punch line!!!! How much is "all original" worth when it kicks the rods out the side of the block????

 

Thankx! i was kinda scared i would have to scrap the car. Trying to get it almost factory..see what it ran like back in its day

 

Mechanic said the engine is on borrowed time. When we tightened up the top with the manifold gasket, everything else at the bottom that had worn a certain way over the years is making the engine knock. He doesn't think the engine is salvage-able.

 

The situation is not that bad. Engines wear out. You should have the engine rebuilt before it throws a rod by a competent machine shop so you can keep your numbers matching setup.

 

If it isn't blown, it is rebuildable. Pull it before you chuck a rod and destroy the block.