220K What should I do?

[teamrcjb]

I recently purchased my project with 220K miles. All original except radiator. I thought it would be important to start with the engine.
Underneath the engine is quite dirty...looks like oil or something. I am going to clean up the undercarriage and under the hood the best I can.
I have 3 questions:

1. Any suggestions on how to clean it?

2. There is a slow leak...couple of drops a week. Should I just give it a tune-up and keep driving it. Or have it rebuilt? When do you decide to rebuild these 22RE's.

3. I am not doing a frame off restoration. Does anyone have suggestions on what order to do the restoration. I want to give it a lift, new suspension, body work/paint, new interior, new bumpers, etc...

 

[the_dingman]

A few drops a week isn't horrible, depending on where it's coming from. If you plan on having it long term, I would fix it now before it gets worse.

You can clean the engine with a power washer, or at a manual car wash (they usually have an engine cleaner fluid). Just be prepared for it to not start until it dries.

 

[teamrcjb]

A friend of mine said that he wouldn't use a power washer and degreaser on the engine because of its age. He suggested that I do it be hand. Anyone else think it's okay to use a power washer on a 20 year-old engine?? I would definitely rather use the power washer because it would save me a lot of time.

 

[the_dingman]

I used one on my 86 right after I got it in 2001, and it didn't cause me any trouble, other than it not wanting to start until it had dried off. Though, I'm no car genius =)

 

[n8buddy]

from what ive read the best way to clean the engine is a degreaser and and hose, but not a pressure washer, make sure you cover up battery etc. i had mine done professionally, drove it once for 5 min and the next time i start it up the alternator is toast, so be careful where you put the degreaser.

 

[toy4]

:iagree: Hose and degr. oh and rags, wire brush.
i have also used brake clean, works really well. Just be carfull
of the electrics with what ever you use. If it runs good than drive it

 

[truck]

The trick with 'power washing' is that your 20 Year-old wires and vacuum hoses are subject to breakage under the pressure.

the 'best' way would be to give it a 'steam cleaning'- get the engine to normal temp then spray your water on it at regular low pressure. Just be careful if you're carb'ed. You should cover it with a rag, your dist, and maybe your ig module.

As far as 'the order' goes- Of what you've listed, the only thing to really make sure you do in order is the lift, then the suspension. Lifting your truck causes some changes in your steering, and driveline. So do the lift first, then accomodate your new suspension and drivetrain bits to it. You can do the bodywork before or after, and ditto the interior.

 

[93toyrunner]

thank you for this thread. i was washing mud off my rig and afterwards it wouldnt start and i thought i made an expensive mistake i searched for an answer i found it here it turned out i got water in the distributer cap so i dried it and it fired right up.

thanks guys
93toyrunner