<VV> Trip Not going well, update

[VairMech@aol.com]

My - long distance - assessment is that it is a valve seat "thinking" about
falling out.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    Everyone keeps saying it is a valve seat for this problem but I think one 
item is being overlooked. In the original post it was said there was a 
hissing sound coming from the engine. 
    A blown head gasket would account for this noise and the possibility of 
it running good when it was cold and no noise. I have had a head gasket get 
real "hissy" when it got hot but there was not a sign of anything wrong when it 
was cold.
    Be sure and do a cold and a hot, after driven, compression test. Also if 
the noise is present when hot reconfirm what # cylinder it is coming from.
    Ken Hand