Inherited CJ-8 LAREDO restoration

[Sticknobill]

Ive got a cj8 Laredo that I inherited
It’s a gorgeous car in that beautiful shiny red im in love with it but my mechanic brother doesn’t feel quite the same
It has a bit of rust everywhere but honestly that’s the least of the issues
We had it in a mechanic getting it roadworthy for a year and got it back a few months ago
Took it out once or twice then took it on a bit more of a drive and the radiator cap burst and smoke was coming out of the gear box because I put to much load on the trans I presume
I am looking to restore it again currently looking at a radiator for a cj7 a water pump and going to flush the system
I would love some advice to if it’s worth doing repairs or just engine swapping it either same or different
Any advice would be appreciated

 

[barrys]

Welcome! Doesn't look very rusty in that picture.

 

[Sticknobill]

Welcome! Doesn't look very rusty in that picture.

Thank you, Rust is mainly on the rear, the hood and in the engine bay there isn’t a lot but it’s definitely there
But I don’t mind thee look of it
My main problem is the coolant issue

 

[ag4ever]

First, welcome. You found a great resource for helping to get this Overlander back on the road.

I assume it is an automatic transmission. If so, it will be the Chrysler TF999. I am not sure why it would be smoking, even under an extreme load. My guess is it got hot and is just burning off years of accumulated oils and dirt. Check the fluid, if it is red, and at the correct level, leave it alone.

Radiator and cap should be an easy fix. If the radiator is good, just replace the cap.

Regarding rust, almost every CJ-8 has rust. The factory did very little in the way of rust prevention treatment. If it is cosmetic, just treat it so it does not grow. If it looks more severe, take a picture and we can suggest a path for correction.

You have an awesome vehicle there!

 

[Sticknobill]

Hey mate your an absolute life saver I forgot to add that when the cap burst it left rusty coolant all over the engine bay and the inside doesn’t look to good, it’s been sitting for a while waiting for repair could the block or something have rusted causing it to infect the coolant after a few cycles

 

[ag4ever]

It is not uncommon for old coolant to look rusty or just yucky. Drain it, flush the system with a water hose, then fill it with new coolant.

It would be good preventative maintenance to replace the thermostat and water pump if the coolant looks bad. Remove the thermostat to do a good thorough flush.

If there has been a lot of corrosion, don’t be surprised if the heater core and / or radiator spring a leak. More than likely they will be fine though.

 

[Sticknobill]

The system was flushed and lines replaced but clearly not enough so thanks heaps I will do it again
What are the thermostat and water pump called for replacement

 

[Sticknobill]

Bit of mould inside the radiator and specs of shit
Can this be cleaned out