Frequently Asked Question

Question 1 - Approximately how much does it cost?

ANSWER - Obviously, there are some makes and models of cars that I see and tune, quite regularly.  However there are still a few factors which can demand more time, more checking and more tuning etc which will then effect the price.  Location and travel time is another big influential factor, so please let me explain further.

Eg  1) If you've got twin carbs fitted, it will clearly take me longer to clean, set, tune and balance.....than it would for a single carb.

Eg  2) If your distributor has 'points' then they will need gapping and dwell angle checks, which an electronic ignition doesn't require.

Eg 3) If your engine is standard, it is far more straight forward than a highly modified engine, or even one built to a vaguely known spec.

Eg 4) If the tappets need checking and adjusting on your engine it will take time which another engine may not require.

EG 5)....and others!

(So please let me know, as much as you can about the car, and if your not sure send me some pics from under the bonnet.)

Travel time - I'm located in Kirkbymoorside (YO62) and also Malton (YO17).  A 30 mile radius around where I live, usually takes about an hour outgoing and the same coming back.  It's also within a gallon of fuel outgoing, and the same coming back.  I try to be as cost effective as I can in terms of paying for the travel time and paying for the fuelling.  However, sadly it can't be done for free, but if I can find a way to share the mobilisation costs between two or even three different jobs, then I will try to do so.  Alternatively, it may be more cost effective for you to use your own time and fuel and bring the car to our private family garage in Malton (YO17).  Ultimately it is your choice.

So here's a common ball park price for you to have in mind........... plus travel time and costs.

.....In 2024 a health check and tune of a typical classic 4 cylinder car would cost in the region pf £130 to £150 (ball park figure)...examples such as a Mini, MG, Morris, Escort, Viva, Fiat etc etc.  This is an approx figure based on everything being healthy, but just needing to be dialled in.

Question 2 - How long will it take?

ANSWER - It very much depends on the issues which the car currently has (if any), and the complexity of identifying and resolving any problems.  For example if it is a simple 4 cylinder, single carb engine wanting a general tune up it would ideally take me a couple of hours.

However if it's a 6, 8 or 12 cylinder car with multiple carbs mis-behaving could take me 4, 6, 8 or more hours to baseline check everything as 'good' before finding something which isn't behaving well.  As the simplest of explanations as to why?....well checking and gapping the 12 spark plugs of a V12 will always take me at least 3x longer than just 4 plugs of a 4 cylinder car and that's the easy part!!

Question 3 - If I bring the car to you can I stay and watch?

ANSWER - As an enthusiast myself, this is perhaps the most difficult question to answer, so I can fully understand why this question recurs.  However, please trust me when I say that I like to give my work my 100% focus and attention.   If I'm physically doing the work, mentally diagnosing what is happening,  taking caution of the moving flammable hazards at the same time.......all  whilst answering questions and explaining processes......so please take a moment to think about it and ask yourself a few simple questions below?

- Whilst an engine is running there's lots of hot, rotating and flammable opportunity which present a risk.  If something is set wrongly, not tightened correctly or completely missed due to a distraction of focus..........It's an awkward situation deciding, but who takes responsibility afterwards?

- I have a charge rate per hour for a health check and tune of the car.  I also have a chargeable rate for professional evening lectures given to car owner clubs regarding carburettors and distributors.  These both carry very different chargeable rates.  If you were effectively being asked to do both at the same time, what would your charge rate be?

So in conclusion if there are aspects which I genuinely feel will help you as an owner, I'm more than happy to help.  Many of the reviews left for my tuning work will confirm this in abundance.  However, I do also need your respectful understanding that tuning classic cars is a difficult enough task by itself, without it also becoming a questions & answers and training session throughout.  Let's respect and find the happy medium for us both.

Question 4 - Do you carry a stock of needles and jets for me to try?

ANSWER - Yes, and No!  There are far too many makes and models of carburettors produced over the years for me to keep a stock of every needle, valve, jet and spring.  However, in the UK market there were a whole host of cars in the BL/BMC groups who often favoured the SU carburettor.   For this reason I do often have 15 or 20 different needle profiles from within the 7 or 800 or so produced.  However, I would always advise getting in touch to discuss your engine spec first.  I can then confirm if/what needles I may have available....and if not you then have the opportunity to buy a new, (or a pair for twin carbs) ahead of a tuning session.

Question 5 - What do I need to bring with me?

ANSWER - Feel free to bring any ignition or carb spares that you have.  So If you've got a spare distributor cap, and rotor....bring it with you.  If you've got some new spark plugs, and a new carb needle...bring those too.  At the end of the day, that way if needed or simply a good opportunity to change out the old and in with the new, let's do it if it will help your car run that bit better.

Question 6 - Can I pay by card

Yes you can! - I carry a 'square up' payment card system with me, and if the card machine and supporting internet signal behaves it's self then all is good for payment to be made by card.  (Card types and compatibility is generally pretty good, however if your card is 'unusual' please see the 'square up' website and check acceptance and compatibility.)

Enjoy the two videos below, in which Andrew from AG Classic Car Tuning supports one of North Yorkshire's specialist car garages, and helps them through a few simple health checks as part of a tuning process.

Now come inside the website and see a few examples of the 2,4,6,8 and 12 cylinder classic cars as tuned by AG Classic Car Tuning on both a mobile and private garage basis. 

It should be on every classic car owners priority list to make their car run even better than it looks.....after all cars we designed to be driven!New Paragraph

* Please use the enquiry form instead of the email address  - Thank you! *New Paragraph