At idle if any rod or main bearings were damaged at idle could said engine maintain 50psi oil pressure and climb to 60psi off idle ?????

 

Yes, possible; but not likely.

Of course it also depends on the severity of the proposed damage, how many were affected, etc.

And it could get worse fast, again depending on whatever damage exists.

What are you wanting to be reassured about?

 

Are you getting your readings off the stock gauge, or do you have a reliable aftermarket gauge plumbed in? Stock gauges are notorious for not being correct.

 

first off it is a 3.8 with a 5 speed, bought as a project car.

Motor clatters bad so the severity of it does sound pretty bad. Prior owner had said mechanic remove inspection cover for the flywheel and was able to move the crank and flywheel.

Things known about the engine it is a 97 with a 98-up harmonic balancer or just a 98 up engine (I have a 97 as well and it's balancer is way different). It had head gaskets done & heads rebuilt. Supposedly had new clutch put in it, new radiator and a bunch of other work.

Motor fires right up all the time, no smoke

Noise changes with clutch movement, a/c on/off, clattering seems consistent to crank speed but the sound isn't consistent being sometime faster sometimes slower, sometimes louder sometimes quieter.

Normally I wouldn't buy a car like this but it has excellent paint and excellent interior just in super nice condition and got it cheap enough to justify putting up to 1,000 into it.

 

The oil pressure only really falls if the clearances are all shot to hell. If its got a HV pump, then it could easily maintain pressure with a spun bearing or some other calamity. What does the oil look like? Thats a good place to start. If its got lots of metal in it, then its time to pull the motor.

 

Thanks for your input guys. It seems it might be the thrust bearings are gone in this engine. Crank can be moved forward and back by about 1/8 inch or so with a screw driver. I have looked into rebuilt 3.8 for it and it will cost around 1600 for a long block. I will first pull the motor and see if it trashed the block/crank/rods though.