I did see a hole in the pump that looked like it might be a spot for a relief spring or something, but no spring, and there are rubber chunks in the pan too, so you may be right.

I haven't looked too closely yet though, because I found this.. this is the passenger side balance shaft. I'm pretty sure this is why the belt broke and the engine overheated(I bought it in this condition). It ate pretty deep into its bore, I'd say about an eighth of an inch or so. It ate into the oil passage too, didn't fill it with bearing material, doesn't feel like it anyway, but ate into the block where it's at.. I tried to get a picture, but it wasn't happening easily. I still have the engine in the truck. But I'm thinking I'm gonna have to pull it and get a short block.

I'd like to put the balance shaft back in, but I don't think that's an option at this point. I can't think of a good way to block that oil passage either. So I don't know if an elimination is even possible. Also, I'm pretty sure these bearings were supposed to have holes in them, they did not, so someone must have done the elimination before, and then decided to put the shaft back in, I can't think of any other reason. The front bearing is in decent shape despite not having a hole, so I know the rear bearing hole wasn't just filled in.

Do I have any options here? I can get a short block, but if this engine is salvageable then that'd be cool.

Thanks again, I really don't mean to be annoying if I come off that way.