2.2 GM rebuilding

Ian is a good source for information on this engine.  I remember him posting
a long
time ago about the provisions their shop made for working on this very
engine.

Since no one has posted at all, I am entering the fray, since any opinion at
all will
sometimes generate a flood of positive and negative comments.

I have always been of the belief that you either rebuild to last or you
patch.

If you measure the journals and they are not too out of round or worn, then
I
think you can probably avoid regrinding the crankshaft.

Ditto the cylinders...They are, IIRC, cast iron sleeves pressed into this
block. If
they are not egged or overly worn, you can probably get by with honing to
restore
the surface. ---If your pistons are not trashed. Maybe this will work if you
are on a tight
budget and dont want to have to bore and refit new pistons. A lot depends on
the
condition of the pistons, bores, etc.

I have no idea about the camshaft insert tool.  Some of those, for different
engines,
can handle a rather wide variety of bearings and configurations.  Maybe
others will
answer specifically about this little block.  An automotive machine shop
will ordinarily
be able to do this for you cheaply enough if you dont have the tool.

Worn inserts are a common reason that oil pressure drops.  A bad oil pump
and or
pressure regulator can be another reason. Leaking block plugs have been a
problem on
some other types of block, so I would certainly inspect this block to see if
that could
possibly be a problem.   And I  wouldnt tear one down without replacing the
oil pump.

I dont think I would go back in with a higher volume oil pump.   If you
tighten up the
specs and put in a new standard pump, the oil pressure should be fine.

Some may disagree with me, but I think the most of the comments above are
just
common sense.  If you want to rebuild, resurface, refit everything, then you
will spend a goodly pile of money. A job well done is the only guarantee
that the engine will work properly
and live.  But, on a limited budget you can often hit the high spots and
come up with
something nearly as good.

your oil pressure problems is a bearing. rod main or cam could be
anyone.
if you get another block i really (from personal experience) advise
using the correct year block to start with.
1996 to 1997 may be the same but im not sure.

DO NOT use a 95 or 98 short block.
the 95 does not use a cam sensor your 96 does.
95 was multi port injected any thing newer was sequential port
injected
a 98 block uses different pistons, head, cam , rocker, pushrods are
longer.
if you use a different year block (not sure a bout a 96-97) you can
use ONLY the block
everything else must be changed  ie. pistons, cam, crank, head.
not sure if this is any help, but i am speaking from experience. i
went through 3 motors and alot
of cursing to get it right.
dont do it.