Tune-up tips?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Tune-up tips?
Okay, I've worked on the Vette all winter, got everything running exceptionally well, been to a few shows this summer, etc..
The next thing I need is a tune-up(plugs, wires, etc.). As best I can tell from my documentation, the last full tune-up (with all AC Delco stuff I might add)was only about 1700 miles ago! Wait, that was 10 years ago!
Should I wait a little longer? The plugs look like they'll need a good soaking of PB Blaster or the like before I could even attempt to break them loose. Also, it doesn't look real easy getting to them either. Any suggestions?
As I said, it's running good, but I swear I'm hearing a miss when it's cold.
A friend of mine told me "don't fix it if it isn't broke", but...it has been 10 years!
Tune-up based on mileage or time passed?????
The next thing I need is a tune-up(plugs, wires, etc.). As best I can tell from my documentation, the last full tune-up (with all AC Delco stuff I might add)was only about 1700 miles ago! Wait, that was 10 years ago!
Should I wait a little longer? The plugs look like they'll need a good soaking of PB Blaster or the like before I could even attempt to break them loose. Also, it doesn't look real easy getting to them either. Any suggestions?
As I said, it's running good, but I swear I'm hearing a miss when it's cold.
A friend of mine told me "don't fix it if it isn't broke", but...it has been 10 years!
Tune-up based on mileage or time passed?????
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yes, tunup for sure. Just as there is a mileage requirement there is a time requirement too.
First, don't limit this to just plugs and wires. Check, clean, and or replace the points in your distributor.
Replacing the plugs is done from both top and bottom, using everything from a ratchet with a wobble, wrenches, and stubby wrenches. Use whatever works and remember to go slow.
I would suggest replacing the wires too with a more modern spiral core wire.
Change all your fluids. Flush your coolant system and refill. Change the oil, trans fluid, power steering fluid, and it's a good idea to check and or fill the rear end.
Replace the oil and air filters and go over all of your vacuum lines and check to make sure your choke is working properly.
Lots to do for a basic tune up and sometimes you'd be amazed how much better it'll run.
First, don't limit this to just plugs and wires. Check, clean, and or replace the points in your distributor.
Replacing the plugs is done from both top and bottom, using everything from a ratchet with a wobble, wrenches, and stubby wrenches. Use whatever works and remember to go slow.
I would suggest replacing the wires too with a more modern spiral core wire.
Change all your fluids. Flush your coolant system and refill. Change the oil, trans fluid, power steering fluid, and it's a good idea to check and or fill the rear end.
Replace the oil and air filters and go over all of your vacuum lines and check to make sure your choke is working properly.
Lots to do for a basic tune up and sometimes you'd be amazed how much better it'll run.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
I did all the fluids already, including the rear diif.(believe it or not, a previous owner installed a drain plug in the right place, sure made that easy!).
I also figured a complete tune-up included the points, distributor and rotor.
Thanks for the info. I wasn't really sure if the time factor was that big of deal. Quite frankly, for a 350, it doesn't seem to get really good gas mileage. I hear here on the forum of guys getting 15-18 MPG! Not me. I'd guess 8-10 tops! I had attributed that to probably needing a tune-up.
Guess I'll get to it!
I also figured a complete tune-up included the points, distributor and rotor.
Thanks for the info. I wasn't really sure if the time factor was that big of deal. Quite frankly, for a 350, it doesn't seem to get really good gas mileage. I hear here on the forum of guys getting 15-18 MPG! Not me. I'd guess 8-10 tops! I had attributed that to probably needing a tune-up.
Guess I'll get to it!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
My car is original, so I'm curious if I should stick with the AC Delco stuff or get more modern replacements.
Any thoughts on that???
I don't plan on going to an NCRS judging anytime soon...
Any thoughts on that???
I don't plan on going to an NCRS judging anytime soon...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I get right about 10 MPG no matter how I drive. My Grandma could hop in and drive and still only get 10 MPG. Just how it goes unless you take steps to increase the MPG specifically.
I'm not an original kind of guy so just take this as one man's opinion. If you don't plan of being judged then I would gear anything out of sight towards performance. Plugs, IGN, stuff like that. If you want to still appear stock even though you aren't being judged then anything visible should be as it was from the factory.
On the last hand...if you don't care about keeping it stock at all, then just update everything as you go with performance in mind instead of costly stock replacement parts.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Keller TX
Yes, tunup for sure. Just as there is a mileage requirement there is a time requirement too.
First, don't limit this to just plugs and wires. Check, clean, and or replace the points in your distributor.
Replacing the plugs is done from both top and bottom, using everything from a ratchet with a wobble, wrenches, and stubby wrenches. Use whatever works and remember to go slow.
I would suggest replacing the wires too with a more modern spiral core wire.
Change all your fluids. Flush your coolant system and refill. Change the oil, trans fluid, power steering fluid, and it's a good idea to check and or fill the rear end.
Replace the oil and air filters and go over all of your vacuum lines and check to make sure your choke is working properly.
Lots to do for a basic tune up and sometimes you'd be amazed how much better it'll run.
First, don't limit this to just plugs and wires. Check, clean, and or replace the points in your distributor.
Replacing the plugs is done from both top and bottom, using everything from a ratchet with a wobble, wrenches, and stubby wrenches. Use whatever works and remember to go slow.
I would suggest replacing the wires too with a more modern spiral core wire.
Change all your fluids. Flush your coolant system and refill. Change the oil, trans fluid, power steering fluid, and it's a good idea to check and or fill the rear end.
Replace the oil and air filters and go over all of your vacuum lines and check to make sure your choke is working properly.
Lots to do for a basic tune up and sometimes you'd be amazed how much better it'll run.
