It's not for sure that you need to change the head gasket. Try K-Seal first, it works for all but the most severe problems.

 

I assume you add this to the coolant? the borescope revealed the problem is not bad, and it takes days for the low coolant level warning to show up on the dash now.

 

Yes, you add it to the overflow bottle. Then drive about 20 minutes to get it circulated.

 

Thanks!

 

Good luck! Hopefully the modern snake oil is legit... technology has to make a difference eventually, right?

If you do need to do the head gasket, it shouldn't be too hard, given the layout. It should all be readily accessible from above.

But then you'd get into what else should you do while it's apart? Valves? Timing chain?

If it were me I'd probably do a compression check first, do the valves or not based on that.

I probably would do the valve guides regardless. Also check the true on the head, might need to have it skimmed (if so, better do the timing chain kit). Hope the block is straight-ish.

 

Dude, you people are all thinking I am going to treat this truck like I will keep it another 20 years. Odds of that happening are slim to none. LR2Driver's suggestion worked like a charm. It started fine yesterday and today. No misfire. End of problem for now as far as I am concerned.