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Tune Up Frequency

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Old Aug 24, 2007 | 07:37 PM
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Default Tune Up Frequency

i have a '71 w/ stock 350/270. no mods. how often should i be getting it tuned? (this is my first pre-'75 car, that's why i ask).

TIA
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Old Aug 24, 2007 | 08:07 PM
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I used to check my Timing & dwell every few weeks and fresh plugs every spring


I Switched to HEI & Quit checking my timing (it never moved) I pull a plug every other month or so & replace when they start to show signs of wear.
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Old Aug 24, 2007 | 10:00 PM
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I see that your from California so you may be able to drive your Vette year-round. The best thing to do would be to get an owners manual and see what the factory recommended tune-up intervals are. If you do your own work you can check things monthly or every couple thousand miles, but if you are paying someone else follow the factory recommendations.

If you are interested in learning how to work on the car yourself checking things like dwell, timing and plugs are easy to do and will save you a lot of $ in the long run.

I have to admit that it had been so long since I had a points-equipped car that I had to check the web to get instructions on hooking up my old dwell meter.



Rick B.
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Old Aug 25, 2007 | 12:08 AM
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With your mild street engine, you should be able to get 6 months out of a tune up without any problem. (Assuming it is not a daily driver.) If car is regularly driven, follow owner's manual guidelines. When doing a check, remove plugs and points; clean them and reuse them if not damaged; re-gap plugs and set dwell on points; check and adjust timing, if necessary. If no ignition concerns, drive it another 6 months. It's up to you how long you want to run with the same parts.
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Old Aug 25, 2007 | 06:18 AM
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thanks so far - all good input. this IS, in fact my daily driver. would platinum tipped sparks do me any good? or anything else?
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Old Aug 25, 2007 | 09:51 AM
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My car is also my daily driver...
I Installed an HEI unit with the tach drive
and some good platnum plugs
My car starts faster and runs better
the timing hasn't changed in 2 years and I've had the same plugs for about the 10k miles and they still look pretty new

Last edited by jcswm; Aug 25, 2007 at 09:55 AM.
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Old Aug 25, 2007 | 04:21 PM
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If you have an HEI system, platinum plugs might be beneficial. With a stock/points ignition...and the lower plug voltages that go with it...[IMO] the more expensive plugs are useless.
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