I'm inclined to think that the sock on the oil pickup caused oil starvation throughout the entire engine causing significant wear on the bearings. The low oil pressure when warm is an indication of too high bearing clearances. I think your problem lies in the bottom end and not the top end.
I wouldn't spend much time trying to rehabilitate this engine. If you wanted to test anything, I'd plastigauge the bearings.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

but it wont take much to do what i suggested either. and plastigaging the bearings will require removing the engine.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

anhinidrous7,

When can I expect the steering lock?

The vultures are circling your huge paperweight and I need that lock.

Joe

PS...Have you thought about putting it in a demolition derby?

Well, based on what I have read and the replys to my post, I think the engine will need to be rebuilt. There was mention made about using the plastigauge to determine the condition of the bearings.

Is it necessary to use the plastiguage method if I have already decided to replace the bearings? I have never ordered bearings for a rebuild. Looked on Fastlane and they show two different sizes of bearings, 52.00 mm and 51.75 mm. They are temporarily out of the 51.75. How does one go about determining the correct bearings to buy.

Also, I was only planning on getting piston rings and rod bearings for the rebuild to start with. Once I open it up, there may be more damage than expected. Should I also plan on replacing the crank bearings? Is there any thing else to look for or replace while I am at it. Bear in mind, I am trying to keep costs to a minimum on this project. Just want to get it running and reliable.

__________________
'82 300SD 206K miles Anthracite Grey received 250,000 Km badge
'93 GMC Turbo Diesel 1-Ton Dually 113K miles Stolen 17 Jul 05
2005 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab D-max 22K miles Love it!
'68 Corvair Monza 110 Coupe 26K Sold
'66 Corvair Monza 110 Convertible 123K
'52 Ford 8N Sold
'66 Ford 3000 Diesel (204 hours) For Sale
'86 White 2-65 MFWD Iseki Diesel

nearly everything needs to be checked on disassembly. It's ceratinly more work than rebuilding a Corvair engine (which I've also done ), but if you have patience for Corvairs you may be able to pull it off. I wouldn't tear it apart just yet though - make sure that oil pressure is low and that it's not the sender or the oil pump or something like that - unless you just want a project, in which case, go for it! Being able to reuse the pistons if the ring lands aren't shot will save you $1000 alone.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.