before i head to college (comin home on weekends) id like to give my truck a good tune up. what items would i need to replace besides the plugs, wires, dist cap, rotor...i also would like to clean the TB and IAC. the thermostat has been replace last fall when my waterpump crapped out on me so i know thats good...and what would be the best plugs/wires to use? i been lookin at the Accel tune up kit but i havent read many reviews about it. im gunna attempt to get a replacable k&n FIPK filter and make my own FIPK kit while im at it and possible replace the coil with the MSD blaster? unit. later when i get more funds ill add a header w/ new exhuast, 270H cam w/ new lifters, a p/p head, 302TB maybe #19 injectors w/ AFPR, and possible a flip chip (not in the particular order)...my goal is to make close to 250hp and 380-400lb ft of torque while keeping a strong, flat torque curve...

PS:what about advancing the timing a few degrees, how would i go about doing this? i know i need a timing gun...and how many degrees is safe to go to run 87-91 pump gas...

 

My experience advancing the timing on my 'ole carby is that it might run stronger, but it sucks more gas too. Can't help you on the MSD conversion on a FI. It works great with the old durafart though. Check MSD's site - they might have a schematic for you to look at for your application. Just wanted to add to the list of your tune up stuff...I assume you put in a new t-stat and fresh coolant when the H20 pump went south. You may want to think about changing out the tranny fluid and rear differenial fluid if they haven't been done in a while. What kind of shape are your tires, shocks, brakes in? To adjust the timing (on an old truck like mine) all you really have to do is loosen the dizzy hold down bolt and grab the dizzy body and ever so slightly rotate it. CCW to advance. I have a nice wrench that makes the bolt loosening and tighten a lot easier. To check the actual timing - clean the grime off the timing mark gizmo bracket that you should have noticed when you were changing the water pump, un hook the vacuum line to the dizzy - plug it at the hose, hook up your timing light to the battery and #1 plug wire, hook up your tach and adjust the idle down to the VECI label's recommended RPM (not sure here on a FI motor) aim the timing light down at the timing bracket and watch for the ever so slight notch in the balancer to come by and show up when the light flashes. Look closely at where the notch lines up with the indicator bracket and you there you have it. I know the process has got to be a little different on your FI motor. I know my thinking may be a little off here, but if your plug wires are good - not causing you any problems, leave them alone. You know the cliche' if it ain't broke don't fix it. Save the money for your future mods or better yet a future hot date with a tasty co-ed. Good luck in school!

 

good info and thanx, im gunna try to do good in college, haha. my problem is i dont know when anything was changed last but i do plan on doing the tranny fluid and other fluids. the coolent is new and the tires have about 6000 miles on em and shocks were put on last year. last time i pulled my plugs they looked a little corroded but nothin to cause alarm so i might leave that go for a while. whats a good replacement for the gear oil? im tryin to squeeze what i can outta my truck untill it hits about 100K then i might tear into it a little for the cam and such.