well, the current engine seems to have spun a bearing or something today and I am retiring it. I was driving in the country, then noticed a knocking under load going up a hill. I turned around and limped it home. I noticed that the oil pressure had dropped severely at the time the knock started, which is what leads me to believe it spun a bearing and has rod knock. The original engine from this truck had the same problem. I'm not sire why this happened twice. It could be that they were both messed up, or that I am doing something wrong. In this engine, I was running Valvoline VR1 high zinc racing oil, which should not have failed after a few hundred miles. Unless the cylinders or rinhs were so worn that fire was blasting into the oil and burned it up. I've known that this engine was sick, but no one could figure it out and I could not afford to take it to a shop.

now I'm stuck in the middle of winter, moving an hour away from my job, have no money, and no transportation. I'm currently seeking a replacement engine and rides to work so I don't lose my job. Wish me luck everyone, this is gonna be a bumpy ride.