I used the Lucas Oil Gear lube as my pre-lube (label also suggests this as a recommended use). It kinda "sticks" to whatever it touches. It seems to keep a thick coat where you put it. I would think that a thin oil would drain out too quickly.
Just MAKE SURE the rod journals and the rods are still ROUND. The FSM doesn't give a very large allowance for out-of-round. If the bearings have "stacked" (1/2 of the bearing spins inside the other), you can pretty much bet that both the rod and crank are going to have to have further work. I hope you haven't driven it that way too long (unfortunately, engine #1, didn't figure it out in time
). Good luck, and hope you caught it in time like I did with engine #2.
