Congragulations! on your cheap fix!! I'm glad it was so simple.

 

All my efforts, denials, and optimism couldn't fix my engine. In my search for a solution to misfires and coolant loss, I repaired a few minor peripheral defects, but I didn't stop the coolant loss.

I bit the bullet and took my old pickup to a local shop. They replaced my EGR valve, which primarily removed my check engine warnings. They concured with several members: BHG.

So, I left it with them for a week in December to replace the head gasket. Fortunately, the block didn't have any problems, and the repair was successful: the engine now runs like new and holds coolant.