"Steve" wrote in message

Overall condition is...pretty old -- 22 yrs. A little rust at gasket w/
exhaust elbows. Both sides. Definite rust on inside @ water pump and
thermostat housing. Runs smooth tho and sounds OK

A 22 year old exhaust manifold is generally a catastrophe waiting to happen.
The timing and severity of the catastrophe are strictly a matter of luck.


So far, oil still looks good but don't know if that's something that
could just go all of a sudden...

Yup, it could. And there are usually no advance symptoms. You check one
day, and you've got syrupy coffee instead of oil.