I just found and bought a 1985 Toyota Camry with only 100k miles on it. 2 liter not the 1.8. Very little rust. Spent most of its life in Kansas and now it’s up in Michigan so there’s the threat of the salt on the roads. I don’t know if I’m being naive thinking that I could use it as a really cool daily commuter. It drives really well, just has some fluid leaks and stains that I’m currently getting checked out by my mechanic. Just curious if it could be tuned up enough to be a daily driver? What maintenance could really help get it to the point that I’d be confident driving it? Thanks Scotty and all your fans. God bless.
I don't think you are naive. If it runs and drives well. Then you can pretty much be in the clear. And you are already taking it to a technician so that's good too. Couple things I would look out for is a service history if they got one on the car. If not to be safe, inspection on all fluids since it already be leaking a little. Get them changed if need be. And check all rubbers and plastics, EG bushings hoses Ect. If worried about salt you can look up some undercoating. I never used it living in cali but I heard it's helpful.
I think you have the 22RE engine here and if so, it has been one of the most reliable engines Toyota ever made, IF it was taken care of. Oil, filter and PCV at 3000 miles. Valve adjustment, clean EGR valve, and basic lubrication keeps these simply designed engines running forever. One word of caution - keep an eye on the temperature gauge and if it starts to run hot, find out why and fix it right away. These are cast iron block and aluminum head engines and have a tendency to blow head gaskets and crack cylinder heads when they over heat. They came with 10 head bolts and the torque specs are only 52 ft. lbs. Also, keep an ear out for rattling at startup indicating it's due for a new timing chain, guides and tensioner.
