Nissan Repair: 88 P/U Loss Of Power, head gasket, gauge needle

Question
I have an 88 Hardbody z24 pickup, 5 speed manual transmission.  Driving home yesterday I started to hear a clicking noise from the engine compartment.  It started to get louder as I accelerated.  After a few minutes I noticed the temp gauge needle was getting near the danger mark.  I turned off the A/C and the temp dropped.  I then started to slightly lose power and did stall as I drove down the exit ramp.  I restarted the engine by popping the clutch as I was rolling.  I basically had to limp home in 3rd gear as it seemed like I did not have the power to shift to 4th.  A few mornings in the past 2 weeks I smelled what I thought was antifreeze once I got to work and got out of the truck.  Thus why I looked at the temp gauge as I was driving home.  Any ideas?

Answer
Tom,

It is probably the thermostat that has caused the problem.  I would do a complete system check and replace the thermostat and radiator cap.  But, from what you say the head gasket has probably blown from it overheating.  You can do a compression check and verify this.  It is probably eating water due to the head gasket.