Getting an old car back in shape

Getting an old car back in shape [+ favourites]

Well, I have an old 88 Corolla and I want to get it running like new again. I'm willing to spend up to $500 bucks on parts and labour and stuff to get it smooth.

I already started it, drove it around the block and it seems okay. There is an odd smoke coming from the front (not too much, very little) in the engine and it has creaks and weird sounds that are normal on an old car. Also, the engine doesn't idle totally smooth but it's okay.

I want it to idle smooth, I want a majority of the odd noises to be fixed and I want the smoke to be gone. I'm going to clean up the interior and make it look as good as possible.

So my question is, are there known things that I can do to get it up to par? Also, is there a specific service I can request from a service shop like a "Tune up" or something but something in which they check everything and recommend what needs to be fixed to get it smooth.

Thanks.

"Hating everyone protects me from elitism."

Well the first thing you should do is drive it to get all the old gas out of the tank. The Idle problem can be caused be old/bad fuel in the fuel system.

As for the smoke it really depends to what is causing it to smoke. There can be quite the number of things under there than can leak and cause the smoke. Depending on what is causing it you may be spending the full $500 just on that so you will have to waay the pros and cons about fixing it or not.

The creaks and rattles will most likely be worn out suspension bushing and or suspension parts. Like the shocks and springs. If you went to say Midas and asked the for a full report I think they charge you $35 or so for the report. If they do work on the vehicle right after the report they waive the inspection fee. They will be able to give the car the tune-up as well.

You don't really have to go to Midas either. You can prolly go up to Rudy @ Tekam and he can do it as well. That's the place you took your Jeep to before.

So here's a recap.

1. Drive the car and burn all the gas that is in there now. Put new gas in and drive it around for about 100Km, that should be enough to clear out all the old gas.

2. Determine what the leak is under the hood.

3. Have a report done on the car and the same shop can usually do the tune-up and repair all the "old car sounds" too.

"My mind is tearing me apart, then it constructively puts me back together again."