not sure if head gasket gone or what

[wrenchturner69]

Hello

The radiator on my exploder developed a leak and it ran out of water, overheated and engine sounds real lumpy with some smoke etc, thought it must be head gasket. No water in the oil. Took valve cover off on left hand side but all looks normal, no milky oil etc...

What else could it be? Any help appreciated...

1998 exploder 4.0 sohc

 

[wrenchturner69]

knock sensor melted to block?

the knock sensor cable melted to the block, would that advance the timing so much as to cause it to be rough running like a bad head gasket?