[Raptor]

Battery is probably being overcharged by the altenator, have one of the quick service shops like Midas or somewhere check it for you. Probably the internal regulator is dead which will cause them to overcharge and the battery can start swelling up and spewing crap. Not too uncommon. The overheating problem if it just happened could be something simple like the fans not coming on due to a thermostatic switch failure or bad relay etc, in the temps we have been having lately, it wouldn't take much to overheat it. With the belt squeeling, just make sure your waterpump is still turning and not pissing out water from the pump itself near the pulley. Check to make sure your fans are coming on, sometimes it just isn't that obvious. It doesn't sound like your head gasket is at issue. Hope that helps put you on track.