Well, for what it's worth I just confirmed the bubbles in the coolant bottle.
I got screwed by a used car dealer because I bought first and did homework second. My own stupid fault. Thus the official beginning of the swap mission.
going to drive my 88 DL-which does not have a factory defect-to some junkyards and a mechanic friend's shop now.
I had a really good look under that hood for the first time with the idea of doing this swap and I think this is probably way too complicated-sorry to say. I'm really sucking at life this last week...what a costly, foolish mistake.