Friday, October 25, 1991 - North Shore News - 23 ©

Tune-ups have evolved over the century

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman ROBERT IBBITT checks this car's ignition system at Kal Tire in

North Vancouver. While car systems are more durable than they used to be, they are also toc sophisticated for most ‘‘do-it-

yourselfers.””

One good tip can lead to another. Give to the

IN YOUR grandparents’ day, the ignition and fuel system of North America’s motorcars were effective, but not par-

ticularly durable.

Spark plugs needed cleaning and regapping about every 500 miles and replaccment at 1,500 miles,

The low-tech (and inexpensive) spark plug wires — the wires that carry ignition to each cylinder — lasted about one rough winter be- fore they started to give trouble.

Points and condenser, the dy- namic duo that triggered each in- dividual ignition spark, were good for 2,000 miles — maybe.

CrimeStoppers | | fa eens

Fund.

By Robert Appel Contributing Writer

A “point file,”? a 50-cent tool to clean the points, was a com- mon component of a mechanic’s toolbox. Today, they're found on- ly in museums.

The word tune-up was coined to mean servicing the ignition — and very little else.

Such tune-ups,

however fre-

quent, were not that expensive. The distributor rotor and cap together cost only a few dollars — they were usually replaced at the same time as the points and plugs.

{f the ignition voltage coil showed any arcing or cracking, it, too, was inexpensively replaced in the process.

And let’s not forget that old mechanical carburetor. This amaz- ing contraption, which had more moving parts than today’s washing machines, inevitably needed constant loving and

See Car Page 32

CAR WASH

: j T.L.G. Auto Centre "4534 Clyde Ave., West Van 926-TLOG

(926-8522) §

a

West Vancouver Goodyear » = » At the close of this year’s Western Canada

Honda Racing Championship Series, we were ecstatic that three Honda cars that were prepared and serviced by us were crowned overall ist, 2nd and 3rd champions! In celebration of this incredibie feat, we are offering our expertise to all

COE RBAVURE |g! SSUCIPIERSG

Please song your tay cdeauctt-e con to CnmeStorre Greater £0. Sa S666. Sarcose BC. 48

Honda owners so they may experience the same performance the Pro’s do...

Honda Tune-up Special *29. -

Spe-ial savings for other repairs. Please phone for details and appointment.