You've picked a nice car, but a tough project... especially for your first Project car.
The 1990 NA still had the 7MGE i-6 (3000 cc), which is reknowned for it's head gasket problems. The head is also large, so when it overheats you can bank on warping.
As a result: Even my 1987 Supra, of which was like my... 25th or project car, I overlooked just what this meant for someone that lacked the expertise to do it right the first time. The headgasket blew once, twice, Three times finally. After the second head gasket blow, I gave the car over to Airjockie. Air ran a simple compression test (something I neglected, totally) and found that the car's problem was the compression. It was running round about 11.5:1 compression, and wasn't responding to the fuels I put in there. After a few tanks of CAM2 (At a WHOPPER cost) the car ran like it was rocket propelled.
So be careful with this car as a project. The car is fine it's bugs, electrical is usually fine, body is ok for rusting and stuff, but the engine eats head gaskets. The toughest things you'll find to replace will be taillights, interior and seats.
Good luck in your choice, If I had to do it again, I would do a Supra... but not as a project.
-> Steve
