advise on overheated engine

[gsxr andy]

hi all
i have been offered a 2001 2.4 rwd 350lwb it has overheated and never been fixed, it starts and runs, but runs rough.

could this be the head gasket, head or possibly worse,normally id walk away as im no mchanic but its real cheap.

[Guy88]

has it got milky oil or any oil in the header tank

Also does it chuck out steam, Take the rad cap off and run the engine look for any bubbles in the coolant

Could be as simple as a head gasket or a warped head/block

[gsxr andy]

thanks i havent seen it yet so i have no tell tale signs, i was curious to know what the worst it could be,
i was told it was not likely to run rough if it was just head gasket

[Luke]

price up a full repacement engine - add that into the price - if its still right buy it

worst case its melted the pistons onto the bores and cracked the head

[AndyG]

Best allow for a replacement engine in the price

[gsxr andy]

thanks guys

im not sure wether to bother, if i have a look is there anything i can look for to determine what it could be. i am told it is untouched and not stripped at all and till starts

[motorwise]

how much is it?

[gemini]

what do you call real cheap