What's your tune-up routine? Plus bonus ?s

[open.seas at verizon.net (Chris)]

Nate Lowe wrote:
> Time to do my first tune up on my own. I'm planning on doing the air 
> filter,
> fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coolant, and tranny fluid. Probably
> oil too since it's getting to be time. Is there anything else that
> should/could be done at this point? 
Set the timing.

If you have a solid lifter head (pre '85?)and are ambitious you can set 
the valves. You will need a feeler gauge.  You can get a special tool to 
depress the cam followers.  There is a special tool to lift the 
adjusting discs out, but there are other methods that work.  I'm sure 
you will hear about some favorites. And of course, you'll need to get 
discs of the correct thickness. (Or an assortment in a box. 100 or so.)
> 
> I've got a couple other questions also.
> 
> How can I tell which distributor cap I need? The PO swapped in a 2.0 8v
> block with a 1.8 head into my 79, but I don't think anything was changed on
> the ignition side. Is it common to change any of that with that kind of
> swap? I don't have the metal shield on the cap, but there seems to be two
> other caps available from Potterman without the metal shield:
> this<http://www.parts4vws.com/catalog/product_detail.asp?PartNumber=03368>one 
> 
> and
> this 
> <http://www.parts4vws.com/catalog/product_detail.asp?PartNumber=03010>one. 
Give Potter the number off of your distributor and he can tell you which 
one you need.
> 
> Also, what brand of plugs do most of you prefer? I usually hear NGK or 
> Bosch
> are good. Are platinum or silver tipped really worth the cost? 
I like the Bosch Silber. More expensive, but last longer.
> 
> 
> Last question is about tranny fluid. Has anyone ever used GM Synchromesh
> with friction reducer before? I've been hearing very good things about it.
> What do most of you use? 

Redline seems to be the favorite. There are a couple of versions. 
Asking which is the best one for your transmission will generally result 
is a long debate.

Brake fluid flush? (Your bleeder valves are likely to be rusty. Use a 
couple of shots of penetration oil - Liquid Wrench, PB Blaster, Kroil 
(another debate) over a few days before you start. Consider replacing 
the old bleeder valves with "Speed Bleeders".

You do have a Bentley manual don't you?

Chris
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