96 crapstar coolant loss (bad)

Hi, folks. I have the misfortune of owning a 96 Windstar GL 3.8 with 140,000 miles on it.Today I looked to see where the massive coolant leak was that my wife discovered yesterday. (hasn't been losing any coolant before now) After putting it on ramps and warming up the engine, I crawled underneath and there is a stream of anti-freeze pouring out of the bell housing- or where the trans. meets the motor. I'm thinking head gasket, but not sure. No coolant in the oil, definitely not leaking from water pump, this is on other end of motor. Anyone have this problem before?
The reason I'm calling it a crapstar is that this is the latest problem on my long list of things that have gone bad on this van. here is a partial list:
1) transmission shudder in overdrive
2) no cruise control
3) no a/c ( won't take freon ) ( blows through defrost only )
4) check engine light out ( it's worn out )
5) misfire on cylinder 4 -- ( apparent e.g.r. port or intake problem )
6) vibration in right front wheel/ pulling to right hard (cv joint or wheel bearing worn out )
7)door ajar light/buzzer on constantly ( finally fixed this by spraying wd-40 on all the latches )
8) oil in the air cleaner
9) power door locks don't work (fuses good-- bad relay somewhere)
10) speedometer jumps wildly from 50 mph to 70 mph
11) factory radio died long ago
12) headlights have bad condensation on the inside
13) serpentine belt tensioner broke- had to replace it
14) back 3 spark plugs almost impossible to get to ( mechanic wanted 150 bucks to replace them )
15) self-adjusting back brakes do not self-adjust
16) I could go on and on with more minor problems,but you get the idea.
I also had a 95 Windstar before this one that had it's own long list of problems. We did manage to squeeze 230,000 miles out of it, but it cost us around 5,000 bucks to keep it going that long.
My advice to anyone would be if you are considering buying a windstar, don't do it. If you already have one, get rid of it quickly, or you'll have to start pouring money into it to keep it on the road. I don't think I'll be buying anymore Fords in the future. Have a great day!

I do not know where your coolant leak is....It could be running down from a higher location......like upper radiator hose....or a heater hose....or a lower intake manifold gasket.....as well as head gasket.

Rear Spark plugs.....Easy to get at....ENGINE COOL. Put front up on ramps......slide in under the car....back far enough that you are looking up the front of the firewall. You will be able to see....and reach up to the rear spark plugs.
You want to get Motorcraft DOUBLE Platinum plugs......do not use any other kind of plug.

No cruise control. Replace the brake pressure switch.....about $20 at the dealer.
It is located on the bottom of the master cylinder.

Some oil into the intake is normal.....
Make sure that the PCV valve is working....(is in the rear valve cover on the '96). Also...use a Motorcraft brand.....some other brands let too much air....and draw more oil.

Air through defrost only is usually a problem with the vaccum controlled selector door. Defrost is the "default" position. I would check to make sure that all the vaccum lines.....from the back side of the upper intake manifold.....all the way to the individual actuators in the passenger compartment (up under the dash) are intact.

I just did a complete rear brake job on my '96.
I replaced the drums, shoes, self adjusters, and hardware.

I posted pictures of this and many other projects.....EGR port cleaning, MAF cleaning, Front Brake upgrade, Brake pressure switch....etc
http://community.webshots.com/album/201931518cScpNK