I just got done doing a top end swap on my 2001 monte and after I got everything back together and running I was messing around with it and it started to have a tough time starting and then it died on me and wouldn't turn back over. The engine had seized. I realized that there was no oil in the oil filter and I pulled the motor back out of the car and disassembled it. I believe that there was no oil circulating through the pump because I put the little metal piece that goes on the spring on the piece that attached the filter to the block on backwards(sorry don't know what it's called). So because of my stupidity my motor is now seized. The car was full on it's oil and and when I took it apart the pistons and cylinder walls seem to be just fine. I was wondering if I could just replace the main bearings and get the engine running again or is that too risky? I've put so much money and time into this engine I'd hate to have to buy a new one. Is there any way I can get my engine back up and running?
Any advice is much appreciated

 

And also if it helps there was oil in the heads around all the lifters so oil had gotten up there. I don't know how it circulates through the engine but it had reached up in the heads.

 

Oil should go through the filter then through the engine. So if oil was in the heads the filter should of been full. As far as replacing bearings that's possible but have a machine shop do it as machining will probably need done and oversized bearings used. By the time you spend all the cash to do this I would just buy another engine and swap your parts over.

 

I'd find another block and swap everything over. 3800 blocks should be plentiful.

 

Alright I found an l26 engine for 525 dollars online. I think I'll just go with that and just swap out my parts.
Thanks for the help

 

where are you located?

did you try Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market ???