am i right in thinking that if the timing was out by enough that it could det and therefore cause excessive cylinder temperatures? could that warp the head/block or would it melt the piston first?
Afore you pull it apart check the timing espically on the cam gears.
tbh dude theres alot of crap talked on this lol
if all 4 pistons were fooked u would be geting a good bit of oil out of the breather , the rattle is prob the cam gears not preloaded rite , have u tryed a new tester ? almost ever starlet ive rebuilt has broke more then 1 pistons most if the time 3 pistons go, check ur timing marks on the pullys (this can not be chacked with a timing light as that only checks ing timing)and the 2 marks on the cam gears , defo dose not sounds like a head gasket, i would also check the valve clearance making sure there not too tight.
its not too bad to replace 4 pistons head off sump off etc
also just to add when double checking your timing when set up crank the engine by hand.
19mm socket on bottom nut turning clockwise spin it twice so everything lines up and check to make sure the cam gears are still lined up correct.
It does sound like the symptons of the timing being out,