Well, the news isn't great. The minimum is the crank and the main bearings need to be replaced. Only problem is that my warranty expired 11/3 at midnight, so the warranty company would pay to do the crank replacement, but would warranty nothing else after that. The mechanic says that there is other wear that indicates the motor could give me more problems, possibly within the next year. I'm having the mechanic look for another motor. The warranty co. will either pay to replace the crank and mains or give me $1750.00 towards replacing the current motor. I'll know more on Monday. Maybe a low-mileage motor out of a wreck will be the answer...we'll see.
If the rest of the truck wasn't so solid and in such great shape, I'd consider buttoning it up with the noisy motor and trading it. But I like it, so I'm not going to bail just yet.
What caused the damage? The mechanic said that the internals of the motor and the inside of the pan were way too clean for a 80K vehicle. He said that he's seen this before. Someone had used a motor flush. The crap that was dislodged inside scored the bearings and other internal surfaces. When I changed the oil for the first time, the noise started. There was no noise before that, so the oil that was in the vehicle when I bought it was probably heavier to quiet the motor. Maybe even the old 90W gear oil trick. That's why he recommends a "transplant". There could be other problems on the horizon and it could run into lots more bucks. Like I said, I'm going to see what he can find in the way of a replacement powerplant and go from there.
Overall, this sucks...I just want my Ex back!