1992 2.3L
Need some direction from more knowledgable people than myself:
The truck was running hot after going through the car line at school. Driving away in second gear and I hear a loud "clicking/tapping" sound like a fan hitting a zip tie. Maybe about 15 "taps."
Then it dies and won't restart. The radiator was about a gallon low on water. The water pump is sweltering hot.

The water pump still spins when trying to crank, so I am not sure where to look next.
Could that have been a valve I heard breaking? Cylinder Head warp? Water pump meltdown? Something else?

Any advice you guys could give to help me diagnose would be great. And thanks for the help.

 

Welcome to the forum

Tapping or clicking could have been timing belt and it broke, these need to be changed after every 100k miles
No engine damage occurs on these 2.3l Lima engines if that happens

The overheating was not THE issue, but could have been a contributing factor on an older timing belt
At the top front of the engine is the timing belt cover, behind it is the Cam Gear, see if cam gear is spinning when engine is being cranked, if not timing belt is broken

A gallon low!!!!!
The system barely holds 2 gallons if that!!!

 

I know a gallon! - The reservoir was full, so I thought it was fine.

The timing cover is off and the belt is good. Also, everything is spinning in the timing area as well.
I got it to crank for roughly 10 seconds before it sputters out. Very rough sounding, but no more tapping. Possible cylinder misfiring? Head gasket? All that coolant went somewhere...