Well it still runs so I guess the correct description would be that it's in the process of dying. At times it is quiet at idle, but open up any throttle and this loud metallic knocking/thrashing sound makes itself known. It's much louder than any lifter noise and I just replaced the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, and thermostat in the hope that it was the tensioner that was making all of the noise. It's not missing and there's no significant vibration, at least not yet. But driving it from my home to a shop less than five miles away was pretty unnerving in that I thought several times I was going to get stuck on some busy two lane roads. It's a shame about the engine as the rest of the vehicle's in relatively good shape.

Mike, I'm out it Harriman/Rockwood twice a week. If all else fails, I may take you up on your offer to adopt it, but for now, I'm still trying to figure things out. Thanks, Taro