(generic images used for general idea)

Getting ready for a Tune Up.

!! Most important !!

1)  Make sure your car has the recommended oil grade, filled to the correct level and holds good oil pressure / no oil warning lights on.

2) Correct coolant level, and no leakages.

3) No known mechanical issues within the engine which could cause damage during or after a tuning session.

4) FRESH FUEL - Modern fuels seem to have a very low shelf life in a vehicle, and hence fresh fuel (2 or more gallons depending on vehicle) is essential.

5) A good battery charge.......if you have a charger, perhaps put the battery on charge the night before.

6)  Consider where the tuning will take place, and perhaps as a bare minimum position the exhaust to face out of the garage/lock up etc.

What parts do you need to buy in advance?

Whilst every component was at one point in time new, it is important that all the key components of the ignition and fuelling systems are in good working order.  If you have any doubts at all it can be money well spent to buy such as the following ahead of my visit:-

• Spark plugs (Correct grade, quality brand name & from a reliable trust worthy source to avoid buying cheap fakes)
• Distributor cap, rotor arm, points and condensor.  (current condensor qualities are very poor, please buy a spare!)
• Air filter/s - Just as you and I like to breath clean filtered air, car engines are also the same.
• If you are asking me to convert your distributor from points and condenser to an electronic ignition module please buy a good quality ignition module and ballast resistor if originally fitted.  Please also 'double check' that your existing ignition coil is compatible.  Again if you have any doubts then buy a compatible ignition coil from the module supplier (You can always send it back if not required, but if your existing coil is not compatible it may become essential on the day to get your car converted to electronic ignition and running again.)

Can I buy the parts in advance?

In the car owners eyes this sounds like a good idea and in a 'stand alone' sense it perhaps is.  However, here a snippet of what is actually involved and the messaging which goes back and forth.  Sadly it consumes far too much time.....and all the time given is of course unpaid?   It's better being the distributor makers time which is included within their product margin.   With over 300+ customers per year......sorry to disappoint, however I'm not blessed with the free time to give such explanations.  I wish I was...

Enq) Can you buy and fit a new distributor for me?

AG) AG replies - What distributor have you currently got fitted and why do you feel it needs replacing?

Enq) I don't know, how can I tell what it is?  I want to use electronic ignition.

AG) Maybe send me a photo and I'll try and identify it.  I've checked the original build spec and it should be a Lucas 25D4

Enq)  Here's 4 or 5 photo's

AG)  OK it looks like a Lucas 25D4.  Has the engine been modified at all?

Enq)  Here's the build spec from the previous owner.

AG) OK, it looks like there been a modified cam fitted and an up-rated exhaust fitted.  I'll contact the distributor supplier and ask them for a price and availability.

AG) - Ok, here's the price and availability that they've sent me.

Enq) - What difference will it make when fitting this distributor compared to the original?

AG) - The ignition curve within is designed to optimised the performance of the engine relative to the modifications made.

Enq)  But it will have electronic ignition in won't it?

AG)  Yes it will, but the electronic ignition is just the  'trigger' aspect of the distributor, not the mechanical ignition advance.

Enq) Oh, will I need a new coil then?

On and on the questions go...very soon we're 1hr in, ....2hrs in, .....3hrs in.   (Hence why BL, Volvo, MG, Ford, Jaguar and all the other makers....used to have dedicated full time 'paid' persons within their parts and service solely to give these explanations and source the right parts for your cars needs.)

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In addition any faulty, wrongly packaged, unwanted spare items, cancelled appointments for which I've already bought the parts, which inevitably occur from time to time.................guess who then gets the task of administrating their return/refund etc etc ??  Not something that I have the time to do....sorry!

So for cars where new parts will need to be purchased in advance of the tuning session, for the above reasons the vehicle owner generally purchases their own required parts in advance.  On the plus side, you get the parts 'at cost', rather than with an administrative fee charged. 

Where ever possible I of course offer a little guidance, however when the questions keep coming or require a more involving answer......I don;t have the free time to give away.  Hence, that is exactly what a paid consultancy service is for.  See 'Pricing' pages for consultancy rates.

Thank you!