I think your diagnosis is correct…I did some reading about bent pushrods and it sounds very likely that might be the problem. I think I’m going to go ahead and replace my oil pump as well… it doesn’t seem to look too difficult to replace the oil pump.
I’m not sure about the pushrod on how difficult it would be… I’m going to YouTube it later.
I really appreciate everyone’s help

Check the lifters also. It's been a while, but I think the heads can stay on.just pull the intake off (it's probably leaking oil anyway and could use a reseal).

I know it’s time to change the oil when the light comes on. Generally means it’s low and past time, but it’s been working for me for the last 200K miles. 2000 F150 with 461K miles, lol. It’s mainly a woods/trapping/hunting/fishing truck, but she does get to make a few long trips from time to time.

I was watching the wrong video about replacing the oil pump.. when I finnally found the CORRECT video for 2000 chevy4.3, apparently I have to pull the entire engine up to get to the oil pan because of a cross member… ugggggh!

Do you have a pressure gauge to check your actual oil pressure to confirm your pump is bad ? It could be your sending unit or gauge. If your pressure was actually that low you'd be hearing bottom end noise.

Again, it's been a while, but I thought the 4WD's had a bolt in cross member that could be removed to get the oil pan out. 2WD's do need the engine pulled to do an oil pan replacement.



Yes. GM sending units can fail. Definitely check the actual pressure.

That engine is going to die. Get rid of the truck. I had a 2008 chevy that the lifters went out in. Both times at about 68,000 miles. This was my work truck and was well maintained. Under sized lifters are a know problem of chevy's. That's why I won't own another one. Before I bought my Tundra I test drove a chevy. I asked what they had done to correct the lifter issue, they said, nothing, we just switched to synthetic oil.

Have a junkyard 4.3 delivered to a shop while you drive this one till it pops. Then have them swap motors. I wouldn’t start any major projects on a motor with those miles/problems. Or just get rid of it now while it’s still running and go shopping.

Watch some Youtube videos about ( Rislone )

Lol no

You are pretty much on the money.
I took the blazer by my brother in laws to have him take a listen. ( he has an experienced ear , is a dirt track racer and builds his own engines) he said there’s bigger issues… the timing chain has been stretched and very likely a spun bearing.
It’s now a matter of when and not if.. when it’s totally done for.
I’m going to have to find something else to drive around for trapping, fishing hunting, etc.
It’s took some extra sweet talk to explain to my wife that I at least need to borrow her vehicle to pull traps and call it a season ( for now)

I think this could take your trapping abuse.
https://www.govdeals.com/asset/44/11136/

Interesting looking rig

Why not rebuild the engine or junkyard engine swap? It the rest of truck ok? Its not worth anything with a junk engine so you wont get much to sell it. And then you have to look for another used vehicle that you dont know anything about. THe price of used vechiles now are very high.

Master rebuild kit on rock auto is $488. Pay your brother inlaw to do it if he knows how.

Yup, Motor swap is my recommendation. Lots of 4.3s around. Amigos around here will swap a motor for around $500 labor. Depending on miles, a salvage yard motor should also be around $500.

With older high mile rigs, or anything out of warranty actually, it’s always a matter of “when not if”.

It’s really not worth swapping out… it’s cobbled together the way it is.. body has ALOT of issues…as for rock auto,, I’m not sure if I want to deal with them again… I bought a radiator from them and after 3 months it started to leak… it was too much of a hassle to send it back… so I managed to fix the problem with stop leak.
I have a guy who told me he’s got something he will sell me… Im going to go check it out later

Man, seems like you get your share and then some, of bad times that is.

Ya, kinda wish whoever has the voodoo doll would let up .. lol