Hmmm man those are some great opinions / input ideas there, much appreciation!!!

The distributor ring was just replaced when I did the head gasket job but I totally agree it wouldn't hurt to check it. Of all things to screw up I'd be happy if that was it.

The pcv valve is such an easy replacement it'd be silly to not do it, so will add that to the shopping list I admit I cursed like a sailor when I saw that steam come out. Happy to see other cars at stoplights having steam coming out of theirs, but still it was a lot all at once all things considered. Everyone that's got the paranoia of smoke/steam after doing a hg job can relate I'm sure!!

Pretty darn sure it's not 'just' the camshaft seal if it is that, too, maybe hmmm. I'll have to look in to that, thank you! Saw a video where a guy cleaned off the oil/grease from surfaces and then sprayed foot powder all over, started her up & ran for a few minutes, to see where the foot powder was gone/became dirty. Maybe I'll add that to the list, too, just a bit worried about getting weird chemicals on any belts/rubber parts. Hmmm.

Geezer, I wouldn't doubt that scenario one bit! I swear it was a miracle this truck was driveable at all when I got it. And it had looked like someone had maybe put some sort of sealant around the outside mating surface edges where the water pump sits onto/into the timing cover at one point. I remember thinking what did they do? JB weld the water pump on to the timing cover?! I don't think they used jb weld, but whoever it was did something to fix a problem the wrong way. Yes, a problem they likely created themselves - the wrong bolt wouldn't surprise me one bit!


Raining like hell today 1/4" total they say, so I'm looking in the book and trying to learn how everything at the front end goes together before getting in to it this weekend.

Thank you all so very much, it's so helpful to have ideas of experience before going in & wondering what I'm actually looking for!!!