[Terry, NJ]

Bite the Bullet! Take the oil pan off and check the rods. While you've got it apart, clean the sludge out of it and clean the oil pump screen. Adjust your bearings and reassemble in reverse order. I bought an unknown engine once and was told to check the mains. I did and the center main was shot but there was loads of sludge in the pan, AND the oil screen was about 75% clogged. You will hear someone say "Use 30 weight, non detergent oil"! Do what you want, but whenever I hear that, I think of the clogged up oil screen and what it did to the mains. My suggestion is to use 15/40 Rotella and change at 1000 miles. Remember, The worst oils of today are better than the best oils of 1930.
Terry