I could get into trouble saying this buthere it goes.

chevy small blocks cant handle running low on oil as well a chrysler engine, or a ford engine they are prone to spin a bearing, that is chevy's "main" weakness. its oiling problems.

but thats ok I learned that the hard way also, in the beginning I had done the same as you.
and now im trying to get my wife into the habbit of checking the oil daily, so far she can pop the hood on her own. lol