Sadly, everything you mentioned there... save for the valve tick, which was probably nothing, are COMMON problems.
The oil consumption is nearly as severe an issue as the headgasket problem, BUT you can live with it, the headgasket problem results in more damage if its not repaired. I wouldnt say the car is DONE per-se, but it will be about a 2500-3000.00 repair.
You mentioned that your dad drives "pathetically slow" with no high throttle usage... Well, contrary to what you would believe, this is actually a bad thing. The Northstar builds up deposits quickly if not given wide open throttle runs at least every so often, its an engine thats designed to be wound out and run.
If the naysayers are keeping count (ajtxcman), add another 2000 to the list. :nono:
The oil consumption is nearly as severe an issue as the headgasket problem, BUT you can live with it, the headgasket problem results in more damage if its not repaired. I wouldnt say the car is DONE per-se, but it will be about a 2500-3000.00 repair.
You mentioned that your dad drives "pathetically slow" with no high throttle usage... Well, contrary to what you would believe, this is actually a bad thing. The Northstar builds up deposits quickly if not given wide open throttle runs at least every so often, its an engine thats designed to be wound out and run.
If the naysayers are keeping count (ajtxcman), add another 2000 to the list. :nono: