Robert---If you are seeing a lot of coolant in the oil, it's likely a
head gasket letting water to get into the sump. One test is to remove
the radiator cap and let the engine idle. Be sure it's warm enough for
the thermostat to open. Bubbles will sometimes appear in the neck of the
rad, depending where the break is in the gasket.
A leak-down test can tell you if the break is between two adacent
cylinders, if you have such a test kit.
How much coolant do you have to replace in the overflow bottle? Is it
enough for you to take on this repair?
"Looking for" signs of valve recession isn't too difficult. Recession
means the valves are pounding into the valve seats. When this occurs,
the engine loses the valve lash, as the stems come up to meet the rocker
pads. If your clearance at the rocker "grows" as opposed to getting
tighter, you probably do not have a problem with recession. Most of
these engines do not suffer from this malady, unless driven very hard,
and with competition valve springs.
Dick
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