should I tune it up even though it runs fine

1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
20,000 MILES
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DAN1970
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
L98 is a long lasting motor. What can I do to make sure it keeps on running aside from changing oil and filters? Should I give it a tune up even though it seems to run fine or wait till it runs poorly ? I'm afraid the car may not be worth the cost of a rebuild. I see kits on ebay for $500. Labor $1000 ? I don't know what is fair to charge for rebuilding my engine ? How many hours ?
Dec 16, 2011 at 4:05 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 6,110 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Use a high quality oil and filter. I like Kendall GT-1 or a Castrol synthetic blend. Keep it properly tuned up, don't wait until it starts to run like poop.

$500 for a V8 rebuild kit is good. $1000 for the labor is also pretty good. Length of time depends on how much is done.
Dec 16, 2011 at 4:08 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 11,004 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
IF YOU WILL GET A CHILTON'S OR HAYNES MANUAL, NOT ONLY DOES IT SHOW REPAIRS AND OTHER STUFF..........

THERE IS A SECTION ON SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE----ABIDE BY IT!!!

WILL TELL YOU WHEN AND HOW TO PERFORM THE NEEDED MAINTENANCE

PERSONALLY W/ MY JEEPS, I DO SOME OF THE STUFF SOONER THAN RECOMMENDED

I ALSO CHANGE THE OIL AT CORRECT INTERVALS, IN MY 1977 CJ5 258 6 CYL, EVERY 3000 MILES----IN MY 1946 WILLYS L-134, EVERY 2000 MILES I ALSO SUBSTITUTE A QUART OF LUCAS OIL STABILIZER

I REBUILT BOTH ENGINES IN 1996, I WAITED UNTIL MY FOURTH OIL CHANGE (TO BREAK IN THE RINGS TO THE CYLINDERS) BEFORE I STARTED USING THE LUCAS (REG STUFF, NOT THE EXPENSIVE SYNTHETIC)

I DRIVE THE CJ5 (MR. JEEP)DAILY--AND THE ENGINE HAS OVER 200,000 ON IT NOW (NORMALLY THE 258 WOULD LAST ABOUT 100K,BEFORE IT WOULD NEED MAJOR ATTENTION), VACUUM IS A STEADY 21hg.......I'D DRIVE IT TO THE OTHER COAST RIGHT NOW! (YOU SUPPLY THE FUEL BOTH WAYS!)

"WILLY" IS DRIVEN A GOOD BIT, BUT NOT GOT THE MILES "MR. JEEP" DOES-----SAME GOES FOR A TRANSCONTINENTAL TRIP IN HIM!

WHEN I BUILT BOTH, I SUPERVISED THE MACHINE WORK (I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE) KEEPING TOLERANCES TIGHT, AND PERFORMED "SMALL TRICKS" WHEN ASSEMBLING....LIKE CHAMPHERING OIL HOLES, ETC, USUALLY TAKEN FOR GRANTED AND LEFT ALONE

GOOD LUCK

THE MEDIC
Dec 16, 2011 at 5:00 AM
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