subynewbie

Thanks for all the suggestions - including the debate over the intake manifold . I will leave the debatable issue for last and hope I don't have to go there. At one time I had a pressure tester for cooling system. If the compression test doesn't reveal the problem, the pressure tester is something I no longer have. I haven't seen one on the market for several years. Any suggestions about where to buy one? Would it be a good idea to drain it and put in fresh oil? My thinking is that an oil change might make the cranking-for-troubleshooting less of a strain on engine parts since pure oil (even for a little while if the leak isn't too severe) is lighter than the muddy mixture that's in the crankcase now.

Someone just gave me a 1986 GL Wagon, carb, 2W, 4Hi, 4Lo, 5speed. Since it has coolant in the oil, I'm assuming a head gasket or cracked head. I don't know the history of this problem, so whether it was badly overheated or not is unknown. Where do I start with troubleshooting the exact problem? I've done minor repairs on an '83 Sub but nothing this serious. Advice is appreciated.