the engine is tight no leaks, just needs a tune up and various body parts. what can i do to help the engine out before i rebuild it i have to save up. it's a 305tbi

 

Treat any newly acquired vehicle like you've resurrected it from the junk yard. You must assume that NO maintenance has been done. Start with all fluids and filters. Engine and transmission oils and filters ($40), differential oil and additive ($15), coolant ($15), fuel and air filters ($10), PCV valve (AC only!) EVAP filter (if equipped), vacuum hoses, compression or cylinder leakage test, etc.

Continue through the ignition system (NOT just spark plugs), and then the control system and adjustments, like IAC, TPS, timing, oxygen sensor, etc.

Once it's running right, continue with brakes, wheel bearings, steering and suspension, belts and hoses, exhaust, and body lubrication/adjustments.

Once you've performed all the required routine maintenance, you can assume that everything should be normal, then attack those things that are not, and would cost you a total of less than $200 if you do the work yourself.

Unless you know the person from whom the car was purchased, and can trust that person implicitly don't assume that any maintenance has been done. It's far too easy to falsify receipts and service records, or to forget when service was done and recall incorrect dates/mileages.

Start from the top. All fluids, filters, routine service, ignition components, adjustments, etc. Everything from the differential oil to the front wheel bearing repack should be done. Once the car has been returned to a "normal" serviceable condition, any remaining problems are a lot easier to solve.

 

Vader would like you to rebuild the entire car basically. You aren't saying to replace things that are obviously good though correct??

 

i would eventually wanna rebuild the engine but gotta save up, gotta tune up the car basically, by the light setups, bodywork, the car is a total project car.