What would you do?
 

I've got a situation on my hands and am a bit undecided what to do, so I thought I'd put it up here for anyone interested to make a suggestion/comment. Thanks!

My pride and joy died. Yes my 1989 F150 Custom croaked, and it's all my fault. I've babied her too, since I bought her new and kept her up on all service and check-ups. Never winter driven and possibly that was her undoing - parked for six months of the year.
The rear engine seal began to leak, so I took her in to Phred & Ralf's garage to get fixed, as the dealer was wanting $900 for the job and P&R would do it for just $399. Heck, she only has 166,000 kliks on her too and drives like a dream!
Anyway, that fix lasted only 1100 kliks and then started leaking again, so I dumped some of that " ******** Stop Leak" till I could get some cash scratched up. I probably should have gone back to P&R's, but now I was mad at them. So to make a long story short, I lose my oil pressure, and the temperature guage goes into the red zone.
When I get her shut down all SEEMS okay but I can't be sure. Engine starts easily again and no unusual noises but I'm afraid to start it again. So now I wonder how I can back out of this situation without taking a big hit one way or the other. I know now that I should never have used that thick oil additive - but that was then and this is now.

Re: What would you do?
 

Well if it started without a problem and there weren't any "wierd" noises you may have gotten lucky. Depending on how mech inclined you are you have a few options.
Do a compression check on the engine, make sure you didn't warp a head gasket or a valve.
Get the seal fixed again, either by you or the garage.
Shop around for a rebuild (long block), and replace it yourself or have the garage do it. What's in it a 351 windsor?
If this truck is your pride and joy and you want to keep it then option 3 is probably where you'll end up.

Re: What would you do?
 

i think i would have the shop fix, or make them pay to have it fixed right.
no matter what, if you get this running again, remember to change the rad cap and make sure the antifreeze is topped right up
i had a 79 that i over heated once. i fixed what i thought was the problem but it continued to overheat. i went through everything i could think of, even got rebuilt heads. what i overlooked was the radcap. the spring got weak from the heat and kept lettin the antifreeze leak. that truck was all highway, otherwise a may have seen puddles. but i doubt it, i was young lmao