Upcoming Valve adjust- anything else to do?
 

Am taking in '87 Carrera with 125,000 miles to #1 wrench for valve adjust next week and am having them check head studs and put in new chain tensioner while they are in there. Is there anything else in interests of engine preservation that I should have them attend to? Does not drip, smoke or use any oil and is year-round driver in PNW.

Thanks!

Why new chain tensioner? I'd be careful with that, because the carrera has an idler gear rather than just a ramp the gear wears to match the chain, I know that changing the cam chain and not the sprockets causes problems with a mis-match and rapid wear results, this might be true of the tensioner also?
I would get some more advice on this before you proceed as I'm not an expert on this area.

I'd get some silicon aftermarket gaskets for the cam covers, they can be used over and over and seal better than the stock ones, they are only $20 more than the stockers and they sell them on pelican parts here. I just put them on my car. Have your shop examine the cam lobes for abnormal wear or scuffing, its been an issue talked about here and I think it would be useful to hear back on this.

If you do the chain tensioners, and I say that's a good preventitive measure if you don't know their age or milage, you might change out the chain ramps. They're relatitively inexpensive and easily accessible if the covers are off.

Also a good time to inspect the muffler for rot since it will be out on the ground.

Check cam timing. Adjust if necessary.

+1 on cam timing. I just had the Head Studs replaced on my 87 3.2 with ARP studs, while he was at it, my mechanic advanced my cam timing. HUGE difference in the way the car runs. It runds much smoother, has a bit more low end. If a broken head stud is found I would also have him check for broken rings and check out the chutch while engine is out.

Thanks for the replies Men! Have assembled 'the list'

Engine

- valve adjust/ tune-up

-check/ replace plugs and air filter

- check for broken head studs

-examine the cam lobes for abnormal wear or scuffing

-examine/ replace chain tensioner

-change out the chain ramps

-check cam timing-- adjust if necessary.- dial in cams for low-end grunt?

-check foot to floor = WOT at intake

-check around top of cooling fins- may be small rag sucked in by fan

-check engine/ transmission mounts-check vacuum/ fuel lines

-check rubber intake boots/ hoses


ETC.

- inspect muffler for rot while its out

-check front wheel bearings/ cv joints

-check rear axle bearing

-check brake booster vacuum hose, between the left side of the transmission mount and the body

-lube steering column u-joints

-check trans fluid- replace if necessary

-check rubber fuel hoses

Why do you feel the need to replace the tensioners?

Other than that, everything you listed (other than cam timing) is, at most, medium level DIY work, or lots of $ for labor. Your choice, your money or your time.

Valve adjustment isn't that cosmic.

I you have no specific problems with your car, I would just do a base line service.

Oil+filter
Air filter
plugs
dist cap
brake fluid
valves
usual checkpoints

last time changed fuel filter?
fan belt?
gearbox oil?