This is for a 92 Bonneville SSEi

I'm really not happy it had to come to this, but I think my bonneville is on it'* last few miles. Ever since June, the oil pressure has been dropping to 0 on the gauge after the car gets warm. I checked it out at a shop and they said the main bearings are worn, but not shot. What this means is I get about 25 mins of driving before the pressure drops. Lately that time frame has been getting shorter and I've been getting worried.

As far as condition goes, it is basically perfect.

Cosmetic:
- Paint is basically perfect
- Interior is basically perfect
- Tires and brakes replaced 1 year ago
- Electric seats work
- AC/heat works
- Dials work fine (along with any other electrics)

Mechanical:
- New lower and upper intake manifold gaskets
- Supercharger coupler replaced
- Valve cover gaskets replaced
- New starter
- New belts, some pulleys fixed as well
- Cooling system is solid
- Transmission is solid
- No oil leaks
- No coolant leaks
- New spark plugs and air filter
- Fresh oil, coolant
- Vacuum line connections replaced
- 123,000 miles

I have basically overhauled the top end of the engine, and it runs PERFECTLY and has plenty of power. The rest of the car is in very very good, clean condition for a 17 year old car. The only things wrong mechanically is the bearings.

Realistically, how much money can I get out of this car.
I'll post pics if people need them.

id find a similar engine and pop her in from what you have already done to the car. Hows the underbody?
what you could do it use thicker oil like 10w40 or 15w40/50, and pour in some Lucas oil stabilizer which makes the oil like glue.
Just a thought tho....

yeah, are you using 10w30? also, have you ever looked into replacing the oil pump? it could be getting weak and causing a low oil pressure condition!

I thought about a new engine, but I'm reluctant because it just means I have to spend more money, and how would I know the replacement engine won't have similar problems to the one I already have?

When I had the car in the shop related to the low oil pressure issue, they gave me full confidence that it was not the pump, and the bearings were worn. I've done plenty of research, and I'm confident in that conclusion as well. So please, no more suggestions about the cause of my low oil pressure. I asked about thicker oil and the mechanic said it might help somewhat, but it can do more damage than good (right now I'm running the OEM recommended 10w-40).

The under-body is fine, no significant rust. Like I said, for a 17 year old car, it'* in perfect condition.

Getting back to my main question: parts car or as is, how much could it be worth?

Sorry I have no idea of value.
How much driving do you do in the Bonneville? I would definitely try the Lucas and a little thicker grade of oil that has already been mentioned. Of coarse I am the kind of guy that squeezes one more road trip out of an alternator that had been making noise for months. A battery that was on it'* last leg for months. A tire that grew a tumor on a 200 mile trip. I've pushed an out of gas car along the highway while two cats looked at me through the rear window until someone was nice enough to stop and give me a tow. Added a quart of oil to the engine every other tankful. Used 5 gallons of water to get home from work because the head gasket blew on the way to work. And I drove a car with a LOUD knock (wrist pin or possible bearing) for months also. All these vehicles got me where I wanted to go. Sometimes it was slower but as long as I didn't drive them hard they worked and they were paid for.
You never know it might bring up the pressure and you drive it for another year or two or three. Or it BLOWS UP!!! Good luck,
Mike

$400-$500 as a parts car i would say thats if theres anyone out there willing to buy a 92

I know, a 92 is getting old. I'm pretty sure I'm about to take a huge loss on this car. I bought the car for $2000 a year ago and then put another $2000 into it. About 3 weeks after I put the $2000 into repairs the oil pressure tanked, and I think it might be getting worse. So in the end I spent large amounts of money on an engine that was basically f***ed from the get-go. I just want to know my best, most economical, way to either fix or get rid of this car.

Just curious, has anyone replaced the main/rod bearings themselves? I hear you can do it by lifting the car and then dropping the oil pan, and apparently it'* all right there.

Yes you can replace rod and main bearings, just plastigage the old ones to see what your clearances are. Then select suitable o/* brgs.

Do you have an idea how much the parts will be? I've looked on rockauto and they have the rod/main bearings there, but I'm sure I need more than just the rod/main bearings to do the job right.