some tune-up info needed....

[stprorolla49]

im doin a tune up tomorrow on the car before the winter, so im gettin some new plugs, cap, and rotor.....ive read that autolite 25's are the best for a stock 302, and im not sure which cap and rotor i should get....ill be going to autozone.... so heres my questions....

1) autolite 25's?? if so, or with any plug, what is the best gapping??
2) which cap and rotor are best
3) anything im over looking?? ive got newish moroso plug wires, and a newish air filter from the CAI i got.....anything im missing??

 

[chefster]

newish air filter should be cleaned or replaced,brush any rust spots underneath with a wire brush and hit it with rustreformer...spray or brush on. last oil change? why new cap? gotta crack or something...

 

[95cobradude]

stock gap is .052-.056, those autolites will be good, what about the fuel filter?

 

[stprorolla49]

newish air filter should be cleaned or replaced,brush any rust spots underneath with a wire brush and hit it with rustreformer...spray or brush on. last oil change? why new cap? gotta crack or something...

air filter was just cleaned....cap and rotor look to be VERY old.....plugs are beat to ****, oil changes about 2 months (800 miles) ago....

 

[HISSIN50]

I prefer brass terminal'd caps and rotors, but that is just me.

Give it a once over before you go - look at things like the serp belt, PCV valve, grommet and screen, the aforementioned items, etc etc. Checking the maintenance interval section of the manual is always helpful to remind us what we need to do and with what regularity.

Good luck.

 

[stprorolla49]

I prefer brass terminal'd caps and rotors, but that is just me.

Give it a once over before you go - look at things like the serp belt, PCV valve, grommet and screen, the aforementioned items, etc etc. Checking the maintenance interval section of the manual is always helpful to remind us what we need to do and with what regularity.

Good luck.

thanks bud.....is the fuel filter difficult to change??? and i was reading about side gapping plugs...can someone explain that to me?? sounds like a worthwhile thing to do.....

 

[HISSIN50]

The fuel filter is easy. You bleed the system, undo the clamp around it and pop the little hair clips out of the lines. (is there more guys? I cant remember but dont think so).
Then reinstall. Make sure the new filter comes with new clips (they are little white "U" shaped dealies). I always break one of the old ones coming out so I need the new ones.

I dont back cut the 5.0L's plugs, but know a bit about it. If doing it, I would index the plugs too (if doing it, go all the way). You basically cut back the ground strap, which unshrouds the kernal a little, to promote more efficient combustion. It will probably shorten the life of the plug some - just FYI. Also, for a bit more money, you can get Autolites that are already cut. I cant remember the part number right now.

As for the gains, I really cant tell ya on these motors. Some report better throttle response. You also want to be careful about what finish you leave on the groundstrap.

Good luck!

 

[RIO5.0]

Myself I have a thing/pet peeve about changing the oil before its put away....dont need a start-up in the Spring with dirty oil in there...although 800 isn't much, I'd still change it..... dirty/old oil is very acidic, has fuel in it also, plus the normal crunge..Especially if you plan on starting it for short burst thru the Winter...she starts dead cold and puts that crunged oil thru it.... Not good in my book....This way first thing in the Spring your on a fresh oil change...

Get a PCV valve....cheap money to...How old is it??? If you don't know, I'd swap it out...

Got fuel stabilizer yet?

 

[stprorolla49]

Myself I have a thing/pet peeve about changing the oil before its put away....dont need a start-up in the Spring with dirty oil in there...although 800 isn't much, I'd still change it..... dirty/old oil is very acidic, has fuel in it also, plus the normal crunge..Especially if you plan on starting it for short burst thru the Winter...she starts dead cold and puts that crunged oil thru it.... Not good in my book....This way first thing in the Spring your on a fresh oil change...

Get a PCV valve....cheap money to...How old is it??? If you don't know, I'd swap it out...

Got fuel stabilizer yet?

im not putting my car awqay for the winter...im driving it (well my dad is..i get the durango) but i just wanted to do the tune up so it runs optimally over the winter, plus i dont wanna do a tune up in teh freezing cold....

 

[DFG 5OH]

why are you not going to drive the mustang?

 

[stprorolla49]

why are you not going to drive the mustang?

my dad is a doctor, and we live literally a block and a 1/2 from the hospital where he works and i have to drive like 3 miles to school, and then like 10 miles to work every day, so its a lot more driving than he has to....plus i'd rather have piece of mind that im driving a 4x4 than a mustang in the snow....with my track record, the LAST thing i need is another accident