Ideas Keeping 2.7L I4 cool?

I posted another thread a bit back about some issues I had with a cylinder head warping. That's still a problem. It's also leaking coolant into the cylinder, or something. I'm not entirely sure on exactly what the issue is. The mechanic said it was 'driveable for a few miles, but don't let it overheat.'

I really only need the truck to run errands and go to school. School is like, 20mi away, so I don't think that's an option. However, I want to try and keep it as cool as possible while I am driving it. Heater on blast and windows down is obviously on the list.
The charcoal filter removal mod is def going to be done, along with that elbow piece mod where the intake comes in.

My biggest question is this: Can/should I run with the hood off? I know some vehicles heat up without it, and some cool down. Obviously foreign debris is going to be something to watch out for. The engine may/may not get replaced, it's a lot of money and I'd rather spend that on a downpayment for something new, so at this point I'm just trying to squeeze as much life out of it as I can.

Any other recommendations for ways to keep the engine cool would be greatly appreciated.

 

Are you 4wd?

 

2007 2WD AT reg cab base

 

How old is your radiator and coolant? Maybe a new electric fan would help.

 

Radiator's brand new, it was replaced when they thought it was just a problem with the cooling system, the coolant is leaking thanks to the warped cylinder head. So it runs, but it can't run long. I'll probably be doing 50/50 coolant/water for replacements, but this year Texas is supposed to have a mild winter, and I'm not horribly concerned about it freezing.

 

Bring your mixture from 50/50 coolant to 60water/40coolant_ It'll help with cooling; water cools much better than coolant itself.

 

FYI in my experience once a head goes bad the bottom end doesn’t ever seem to last as long either sell as is or swap a new motor in

 

Yeah, I owe $5k on it, so I can't just dump it. I'd rather run it a few times a month for my essential errands and finish paying it off.

 

Damn if it was 4wd I’d finish your loan for you straight up sorry to hear your having such issues with a yotor they are typically bulletproof.... are you not comfortable with the idea of an engine swap? There’s tons of guys on TW in TX that would likely help you for a couple hundo

 

Id probably just drive it until it dies or sell it, Ive got a 3rz sitting in my garage that needs new rod bearings if you wanna buy it though

 

I’d be interested how much?

 

I don't really know what its worth honestly, it was running when I pulled it. I had plans to go through the whole thing with LCE shit when I got the money, but its been sitting for I think 2 years now. Where are you located?

 

Massachusetts. I mean I was gonna buy a junkyard motor and do what you just said but if I can help you out as you help me we can talk... lol pm me

 

I might ask for that help later on, once I weigh the cost of a replacement engine vs. just buying something shitty that runs. I'm probably not gonna sell the truck, I'd -like- to replace the engine at some point, but I also have to take into consideration that it's a shitty 2wd reg cab that I'm not emotionally attached to like the first one I had.

 

Yeah if you went through the trouble of a swap you should look into maybe building the motor for some HP