Quick background... 94 t4r w/ 178k 3.0 5spd. Since november it has aquired quite an appetite for oil approx 1 qt per 1k. Then it developed a "missing" cylinder idle in the am which now happens everytime I start the truck. It clears up after about a minute then it starts to smoke. As I leave the hospital I feel like a damn crop duster. This morning I noticed the truck has the wonderful odor of antifreeze in the exhaust....
What I need input on is 1) how long do think the headgasket will last as I need the truck to get to work (my bmw does NOT like snow and sleet), 2) when it goes should I rebuild the top end (approx price parts etc would be great) or 3) should I do an engine swap? I would love to do a diesel swap b/c of the option of running biodiesel or griesel but I have no experience w/ diesels except an old farm tractor and I am not sure of any local (lehigh valley PA) shops that are competent enough to pull off the job. Runner up to that would be the 3.4 swap but all the local yards in allentown area don't have any decent 3.4s. Any input, advice, comments or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance--ROB