Which brings me to another point, and that is recordkeeping. Being an accountant by trade, I don't keep records on my personal endeavours all that well ("the cobbler's children's feet are always bare") so, unless I force myself to, in another few years I will be wondering what year it was when I last replaced those brake hoses, and may replace them too early or too late. Anyway, to aid in the performance of all of the right checks, here is a listing of regular maintenance items that Joe Alexander once compiled for us, that may be handy to keep your basic records:
"Most elements of a major tune-up / service are listed in the original owner's service booklet which came with the car's books when new. This "E" service at 30,000 mile intervals is a tune-up and service procedure. The "EZ" service at 60,000 miles is a major tune-up and service. A customer once asked me what the "E" stood for in "E service"? I replied. "E stands for the condition of your wallet when finished, Empty!" The fifty or sixty procedures involved in the service along with the parts can be somewhat costly. It is no wonder that many "E services were never performed. Naturally performing part or all of the work yourself can be very worthwhile in savings and knowledge gained. Proposal: there is a logical sequence of procedures which may vary, from person to person. This is only a starting point which can be altered or added to as needed. Once we finalize the list we can describe the factory procedure, list the specifications, list the parts needed, list the tools needed, and give personal insight and experiences. Many from the group can research their own literature and contribute. A summary can be written and placed in the file. Feel free to make suggestions and relate your own experiences on the subjects. This will take some time and work. Many listers can contribute and help research in their own literature. Factory manuals are very informative however the factory training literature and service bulletins are hard to find and full of good information also. Many aftermarket manuals offer condensed information that is described in simpler terms. We should focus on procedures done with common inexpensive equipment and tools available to most of the list. Much of the information is already available in the archives and just needs to be organized into a usable format. The "EZ" Service / major tune-up:
1. record important car numbers Vin.#, motor#, distributor#, transmission #, differential ratio.
2. check and clean all fuses
3. check charging system output
4. change main fuel filter
5. check pressure and output of the electric fuel pump
6. test drive and warm up engine to full operating temperature
7. record any running problems noticed during test drive
8. remove and examine spark plugs
9. check the engine compression and record
10. remove valve cover and re-torque cylinder head
11. examine timing chain, tensioner and chain guides
12. record camshaft ID number
13. meter spark plug wires and ends
14. identify the ignition as transistorized or non transistorized, verify correct coil with correct ballast resistors and
15. examine distributor and test vacuum advance and centrifugal advance springs lube as specified verify correct distributor
16. replace ignition condenser
17. replace ignition contacts (points)
18. replace ignition rotor
19. replace the distributor cap
20. check the ignition voltage
21. adjust valves on a cold engine
22. examine valve seals
23. install spark plugs and re-install valve cover with new gasket if needed
24. replace air filter
25. set static ignition timing
26. set dwell
27. set ignition timing with strobe timing light
28. check emission changeover timing relays (USA versions)
29. check and adjust all engine linkages
30. check vacuums throttle control (USA versions)
31. check constant idle solenoid
32. replace injection pump air filter
33. check cold start valve on injection pump
34. check starting solenoid on the intake manifold
35. Set idle
36. set injection pump idle mixture
37. replace power steering filter
38. jack up or lift car to drain fluids
39. replace oil, filter, check all seals
40. replace coolant
41. check all hoses
42. drain transmission and replace fluid. On automatics drain the torque converter also and replace the transmission filter and pan gasket
43. replace rear differential fluid and check rear axle boot
44. replace all engine v belts
45. check front suspension for wear
46. check drive shaft
47. lubricate chassis
48. note any fluid leaks
49. adjust clutch
50. check for any loose bolts
51. check brake pads, rotors change brake fluid
52. replenish front wheel bearing grease
53. rotate tires
54. check exhaust system
55. check battery
56. check windshield washer sys."
Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
