Got it towed to a mechanic who was willing to look at it, even though it was half disassembled (harder than you’d think, actually).  Final verdict:  Can fix the holes that the rocker arm bolts go into, willing to put it back together, and there’s a leaking oil pump gasket that’s a little farther down.  Final tally?  About $900. Also, the mechanic had a number of unkind things to say about the engine in our Malibu (not the car specifically - the make and model), indicating that they’re prone to “engine fatigue”.

When every mechanic you talk to about your car says that it’s a pile of crap, well, that’s not particularly encouraging.

Meanwhile, the old truck continues its duties, at least until tomorrow, when the Malibu should be done.  Then I finally get my Dakota back and can live in the land of 18 MPG “bliss” for a while longer.  I’m also hitting up car ads, car auctions, whatever I can find to get us out from under the car.  It gets decent gas mileage, and it would meet our needs nicely if it wasn’t a horribly engineered pile of putrescence. One thing is certain - I have a very clear understanding of why a lot of people stopped buying GM.  Lord knows I’m never buying their products if I can help it.

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