i have a 96 3.8l v6 that had an intake manifold gasket blow. water was all in the engine it looked like mud and it was all under the hood. no oil in the radiator as far as we could tell though. so we took the gasket off and replaced it. drained the oil twice and flushed the radiator just to be safe. no leaks so far, i have had it for a few months now driving it 2 to 3 times a week. my oil pressure gauge seems to fall really low and shake sometimes when the engine has been running for a little while. i have replaced the sending unit as well. should this be normal after an engine was flooded or is the pump needing to be replaced. someone told me to try a heavier oil(30w) i am using 10w30 now which is what ford calls for. any recommendations on a heavier oil(if so what grade) or changing the oil pump or should i try changing the oil one or two more times just in case there is still small amount of water mixed in with the oil that is not noticeable on the dipstick.

 

It can also be your oil guage that may be going bad. I'd try getting a mechanical oil guage hooked up to it. Heavier oil may also work but that is just a bandage to either a possible issue getting wores or fixing something that isnt realy a issue.

 

that could be bought at a local parts store? ie autozone?

 

yeah they should have a gauge with a kit to hook it up.. i got mine there, and i got it in, in about 30-45 min

 

well dor the 3.8 liters they recommend 5w 30 its possible it could be the gauge itself but its not like those to go out very often. and if you didnt replace the oil pump after it was in water i would take it out and inspect it even open it up, and possibly replace it. did you replace it after water was in the engine?