1987 Toyota pickup-2wd 22r engine coolant in engine

[I-HATE-CHEVY]

Hello, the above states what I have.

Apparently the engine has about 280,000 on it. I got this from a friend who could not afford to fix. So here is my problem. I do not drive this on the road at all, due to expired registrations and transfer of title yet. I have driven it down to the gas station on the cornoer, not even a mile away and back. By the time I get back, it has overheated, not for long, but nevertheless, overheated. Both time, I have let it cool down, adding water, etc... So I changed the t-stat, just assuming that was the problem, I think I cured that, maybe, but now the oil is milky, so I am assuming that there is anti-freeze in the engine. It does run a little rougher that previously. I have read a few posts on here already, and I am thinking that I may have a hole in my timing cover, simply because it is not emitting white smoke, or anything like that. Also, the water pump was making noise so I will probably replace that as well. My best guess is that it is the cover and the water pump. Can someone confirm that with me? If it is not the cover, how difficult is the head to take off, how much does it cost to get it machined and put back on. I plan to do all of this myself, except the maching of the head, if needed.

Thanks

John

[fourwd1]

At 280K mi you should be nearing replacing the TC for the 3rd time.

You can pressure test the cooling system, and do a engine compression test to check for a bad HG and/or TC cover problem.

If you pull the valve cover you can yank on the TC to check for play. 1/4" or so is OK. Also look down on each side of the chain and check the guides, and sides of the TC cover.

Either way, if you've been driving around with coolant in the oil and the engine overheating, your crank bearings are probably trashed too.