Jeff M 1988 K2500 4x4 5.7L

Thanks everyone. Sending the truck to my mechanic in Maine to get repaired. Will let you all know the outcome.

Thanks Rich. 130k miles. Had the Manifolds changed out earlier this summer. So that part will come apart. It didn't see NE winters for 20 years. Dad was a snow bird. That's why frame and body in great shape. Plus he used to treat the frame from rusting. I think there is coolant mixed with the oil. As oil level is above the full line. I wouldn't think the coolant would mix with the oil? It looked all one color on the dip stick. Didn't see any water. I'm in central Mass. This happened 10 Nov. Not easy to find a shop down here to do this kind of work anymore. I saw one post, where a member, did his tear down at 130k before he had an issue. I guess he made the right call. I'm very mechanical, but have not done a complete engine tear down. I do not have a covered garage to do the work. Where on engine is the engine number marked so I know what I may have to replace. Why a GM new motor over say a Jasper or JEG motor rebuild? Curious. Thanks for the reply.

My engine overheated while towing about 2000 pound trailer. 130k miles on the truck. Have used Mobile 1 oil for last 100k miles. Oil always changed every 3k miles. Thought failure might be water pump or thermostat as high temp light went off while towing. I pulled over right away and let it cool down. Truck was down about two quarts of Antifreeze after it cooled down. Once towed back at the shop, mechanic found a head gasket issue. White smoke coming out tail pipe and coolant bubbling and now discolored. This was my dad's truck so I want to keep it. Body in great shape. I would like to try the head gasket repair. Mechanic pushing for a crate engine replacement. Would like to keep costs to $2500 or less. I see on the Forum that it's quite common for this failure near cylinders 3 and 5 in the head gasket. Am I wrong to first see what the heads and block look like? My thee options are one replace head gasket and rebuild, two find a used engine with unknown issues, three replace with a rebuilt crate motor this option around 5K for this option. Mechanic says 8 out of 10 head gaskets issues end up with another engine either used or rebuilt. Last what info do I need to spec a used or rebuilt engine if I need to go that route. Would like to here the pros and cons.