anyone know about 87 broncos?

i just hope it is indeed the china wall leaking, and not the timing cover...that would be a whole nother can of worms

i wonder if there is an easy way to find out

If it's been recently apart as you say then the timing cover is no big deal. If it's never been off expect a broken bolt or two.

But, just like everything else, it's not that big of deal to get to.