I've been a busy boy this weekend and got quite a bit done in the engine compartment. This was my problem list before I started:
Engine running rough and lacking power.
Leaking valve cover gaskets.
Oil blow-by.
Perished upper radiator hose/vacuum hoses and broken plastic vacuum lines.
Rusty-colored coolant.
Leaking thermostat water neck.
Non-functioning oil pressure gauge.
What I've done:
Disconnected negative battery terminal.
Disconnected lower radiator hose from radiator & drained cooling system.
Removed & discarded perished upper radiator hose.
Removed thermostat water neck, scrubbed it clean, did epoxy repair, and painted it in red hammerite.
Flushed engine cooling passages and radiator with garden hose.
Reattached lower radiator hose.
Removed coolant overflow reservoir and washed sludge out from inside.
Removed air intake assembly (will reinstall later).
Removed original drivebelt.
Removed smog pump assembly (won't be reused).+ associated vacuum lines.
Removed EGR valve (won't be reused) + associated vacuum lines.
Removed upper intake manifold/throttle body (will reinstall later).
Removed and discarded perished hoses/lines.
Removed PCV valve + mesh screen (valve was working normally but mesh screen clogged & probably the cause of the excessive crankcase pressure and oil blow-by problem/valve cover leaks). PCV valve cleaned and mesh screen left to soak in diesel overnight (a lot of dirt came out already).
Removed driver's side valve cover, cleaned it, cleaned gasket mating surface on head, reused gasket (undamaged) with smear of silicone on both sides, and bolted clean valve cover back on.
Removed heater hard lines/hoses (won't be reused).
Remaining engine-related tasks:
Remove alternator mounting bolts and set aside alternator.
Remove passenger side valve cover, clean, reseal, and reinstall.
Replace spark plugs.
Add new vacuum line from heater core to vacuum tree.
Add new vacuum hose from charcoal canister purge valve to upper intake manifold.
Reinstall PCV valve, mesh screen, and add new vacuum hoses from PCV to upper intake manifold.
Cut heater hard lines to bypass heater core, reinstall with ECT sensor, attach hose to water pump.
Block off passenger side header EGR bung.
Reinstall upper intake manifold/throttle body and reconnect wiring harness to IAC & TPS.
Fabricate and install EGR block-off plate to throttle body elbow.
Reinstall thermostat water neck, water pump bypass hose, and new upper radiator hose.
Reinstall air intake assembly and reconnect wiring harness to MAF & ACT.
Install shorter drivebelt.
Reinstall coolant overflow reservoir.
Add fresh coolant.
Reconnect battery & fire this puppy up.