pre-purchase question

["Scott M. frary" <sfrary@domain.elided>]

Hello To all and Happy Holidays!
I have recently looked at a '91 spider and noticed some oil on the 
exhaust side of the block, from what I think may be a leaking head 
gasket? The car has about 80,000 miles on it and is in good mechanical 
condition. No where else on the cars engine did I detect an oil leak? 
The suspected head gasket leak wasn't even severe, or covered in grime, 
just a light film of oil on the side of the block.
My question, is there another location that the leak could originate 
from? If it is the head gasket, how bad or expensive of a job is that to 
fix? Is it a common problem that I should just keep an eye on? Also when 
driving this car I noticed some detectable "ticking" from the engine? I 
haven't driven any other Alfa's lately so I don't really know what the 
engine noise should sound like? Sounded like valve train noise to my 
ears? I would say it just needs a clearence adjustment? The fact that I 
usually drive Mercedes Diesel's further complicates the problem as they 
are LOUD! How would you all describe the typical, healthy sounds of the 
2000cc spider engine? 
Thanks in advance, and any that reply, could you also directly copy my 
e-mail in case I miss the reply in the digest?
Thanks,

Scott M. Frary
Network Services Specialist-IV
Telecommunications Cabling Installation Manager
University of Georgia
VP for Research Services
Electronics Design & Maintenance
D W Brooks Drive
Athens, Ga. 30602-1632
(706)542-3871

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