I have a chance to pick up a 1998 Breeze from a friend of mine cheap because he hit a pothole and busted the oil pan. The engine shut off and he had it towed home. We put some oil in it and it fired right up but as soon as the oil leaked down and the oil light came on it shut off immediately. We patched the pan up and had it running for about a half an hour with no problems so I'm wondering if they (2.4L) have a low oil pressure shutoff and the motor might have escaped any damage. There were no rattles or smoke when we had it running.
Also, the motor has an aluminum pan on it but everywhere I've looked says it should have a steel pan. Did any of these come with the aluminum pan or could this be a 2.0L block with a 2.4L head?

 

There maybe a problem with the pressure releave valve or an oil pump.

 

If it originally had an aluminum oil pan will a steel one work? Clearance issues or anything? Every replacement one I've been able to find have been steel instead of aluminum.

 

I would stay with what came off the motor.

 

That's the plan but I haven't been able to find one so far.