3.2 hasn't been tuned since it left the factory, some help?
 

Hi everyone,
My idle has been just a bit off lately, I have a 78 sc with a eruo 3.2 with 28,xxx miles. I was surprised to find out that it had been used so little but even more surprised that my mechanic said it probably has never had a tune up before! :eek:

He quoted me $500 for the typical run through, valve adjustment, air filter, cap, rotor, etc. I know its probably fair but I would prefer to save money and learn to work on my car. (I know pretty much nothing about cars). Should I try this on my own with the kit pelican offers? Is it normal for a car to have 30k miles and not have been tuned up? That can't be healthy.

If anyone could show me the ropes some nice greek from the family restaurant would be a reward ;)

Thanks for any input.

Everything except the valve adjustment is cake.

Not saying that the valve adjustment is hard, it just takes some patience and you have to have the feel for the feeler gauge along with a good technique when tightening the adjusters knowing you maintained the correct lash.

If you adjust a rocker and it is too tight pushing the valve open, you can run the risk of lost compression all the way up to the absolute worst; kissing a valve which is the ultimate price of doing the job incorrectly.

Not trying to scare, just giving the realities....:)

You pretty much know nothing about cars?

If this is indeed the case, if you've never adjusted a set of valves, I would strongly recommend that you not undertake this.

Plus, for a service like you describe, $500 seems like a screaming deal.

Really haha, I'm young and I've made mistakes when trying to fix minor things so far so I im extremely cautious about the engine.

Is the service the best choice? I figure I'll get it serviced now, when it really needs it, and next 15,000 miles try it myself

Get it serviced professionally. Enjoy your car and take your time reading up on stuff. Once you've acquired the knowledge to take on a task you think is doable, go for it. Use this forum to help you along. You'll learn a lot and gain confidence in your abilities.

Prior to my 911, I had only changed fluids and brakes on previous cars. Now my car is on jack stands with the front suspension reassebled with new shocks, torsion bars, tie rods, bushings. The back is apart, CVs repacked, bushings changed, new shocks in the wings. I've adjusted valves, changed plugs, rotor, wires, intake gaskets...you get the idea.

Half the fun of owning these cars is driving them, the other half is learning how they're put together and tikering on them.

Enjoy.