Should I keep going with this 89?
 

The po apparently didnt believe in air filters. The hose, TB and attached components were full of oil, grime and what looked like sand (only assuming since the airbox was full of sand). After that I pulled the plugs and saw what you see in the pics, and then the vc which appears to have scorched on oil on the inside. My concern is that the cylinders are fubared and that I should just cut my losses before I. Sink more money into it?

How was it running when you got it? If it was running decent. I would change the fluids and give it a complete tune up and see how it goes from there.

It was running but not very good. It would have to have some gas to keep idling, and was pushing burning oil smoke out of the air box area. I didn't even bother with a compression test once I saw the oil and crud/sand build up on the ends of the plugs.

Not to mention his open cooling system.

This is the #5 plug.

How much did you pay for the jeep?

650.00

If it were mine, I'd toss in a new set of plugs and drive it around a bit and then check and decide. Looks like a couple of cylinders dead with those plugs. If it kills the new plugs, either junk it or fix the engine..

Inside of valve cover.

What do you mean by dead cylinder?

Seafoam?

One that isn't firing, has low compression or is pumping oil.

That valve cover doesn't look bad.

Do a dry, then wet compression test first.

Do the valve cover mod before reinstalling the valve cover. Post 25 in my link below.

holy ****! what is in that thermostat housing?? is that peanut butter?? is your jeep cooled with the creamy goodness of jiff??

Just rust clinging to an excess of red RTV put on there by some dip****.

If it was my 89... I would do what cruiser54 suggested with the compression test to make sure you are working with a solid foundation...

Then do every single freaking tune-up and flush/fill service you can think of... if your thermostat housing looks like someone crammed reeces peanut butter cups in it.. just think of what that entire cooling system looks like? your going to have to put some money into this...

ahh gotta love the rtv...