well i got a 98 ford with a 4.2 that i was told popped a headgasket, i would like to get it running again however i dont wanna buy another engine and swap it in. any odds i can just ripped the engine apart in the truck and replace the head gakets without rebuilding thw whole engine, or do you guys think the bottom end will be wiped out aswell..

 

Unless they/you are SURE it is a head gasket, I would bet it is the lower intake manifold gasket.
There is no way to know if you can get the engine running again by just replacing the gasket.
Did hydrolock occur and cause internal damage (bent rod)?
Was engine run and/or has engine sat with coolant in the oil - causing bearing damage?
Those are two biggies to be concerned about.