Endless Problems

[KENYAN-AUTOJUNKIE]

i have a 88 mk2 golf with 1300cc carb engine which has some things sorted out.

the engine is giving off a sound like a train only when i drive or rather in gear
if i'm driving and switch the gear inti free/neutral (it's a manual) the sound goes. it's not there when on idle only when a gear is engaged? is it the gear box, the shafts? please let me know.

also i know about the noise that the car gives when it's on idle, was told its the tappets that need to be replaced, ok but someone else told me that instead of spending money on new tappets i could buy a second hand engine head and i'd get thetappets plus more, someone please advise

the clutch pedal is hard to press - changed the clutch cable but no difference. on further checking the new clutch cable is shorter, the shop i got it from is a vw dealer and i've bought parts from there before, is it possible that different versions of Mk 2's have different length clutch cables

the dipstick for checking oil shows the oil level on only one side of the stick - how is that possible?? though this only happens after i've driven, in the morning before starting the engine the oil shows like normal!! if the level (once it shows on one side) its shows less on the other side, i'll top it up but in the evening when i check my engine oil has come up the carb and drenched the air filter and spilt out the filter housing, which means the oil (i think) heated, was over filled and well spilt - help please.

the (i'm not sure what its called) suspension arm (suspension wishbone arm) shaped like an L thats bolted on to either the chasis or body (must be the chasis) keeps on getting loose i keep replacing the bolt but i still getting a knocking sound when i brake, replacxe tighten etc eventually it gets loose, i was told that maybe the threads on the car where worn out so we got the same size nut and welded it onto the car thus replacing the old one, worked for about two months or so but now i can hear the noise again, what to do?

they are more things to sort out but these are the urgent and crucial things - i hope, please someone help me out - cheers.