I need something to drive to go get parts for the Yaller Raider. I've been looking for an awd Astro van, with the back of the mind thoughts about making it into a mini Quigley after the Yaider is running right.

I don't want to spend 2grand$ on one, and I found one, a repo in Alabama, a 99 with the vortec v6 and awd and the dutch doors out back instead of barn doors (it will be my work truck, too - hauling too much now for a swb). The repo-er is a car dunce. He says it was not run without oil, per the previous owner, and there's a hole in the oil pan, but he hasn't crawled under to see. He says now it won't crank, and there's a red light on the dash.

I seem to remember that there is a low oil sensor on the 4.3 vortec, and it kills spark if the oil is too low. The owner says when he first got it back, it cranked and ran for 10-20 seconds with no knock or noise. When he went to crank it 3 weeks later, it would not start.

I've researched changing the oil pan (the fsm says remove the whole subframe with engine and tranny and front suspension) and it can be done by taking the front diff loose along with the pside axle tube, and removing the starter, and the pan will come out (hidden bolts into the tranny case). Pans cost about a benjamin.

Here's my question. Does the 4.3 vortec have the low oil sensor, and does it kill spark when too low? I know there are some pro mechanics on here who know. All I know about astro vans is the vortec runs like a rocket and they haul the world at 18.5mpg.

I don't want to drive all the way to ne Bama if this thing is probably fried, but if the spark/oilpress interlock thing is true, it's hard to fry one for lack of oil, and I might get a good and cheap one...