Chevy & GMC Vans

My van needs a tune up very badly. The spark plug wires look like the originals so I am wondering what all the other stuff is going to be like. Can you make any suggestions about the following parts - perhaps options that will provide a little better fuel economy or some other benefit?

Spark plugs:

Air filter

Spark plug wires

Distributor cap

Oil - synthetic? which thickness for an old engine in Portland Oregon?

Anything else?

Delco parts only on cap,rotor,wires, plugs.I don't remember if you stated what kind of gas mileage you are getting,could you give us a idea what that is??.That way we could let you know if what you are getting is normal.

delco cap and rotor

NGK G-power plugs (they make plugs for delco but are cheaper than the delco name)

wires, any quality brand 7mm or thicker if you can get them

air and oil filters WIX (or, if you can't find wix, 'napa gold' are made by wix)

sythnetic or not comes down to personal preference. I ran fully synthetic Royal Purple in my 94. I run non-sythn in my 99. The older van seemed to like the synthetic better.

hope this helps somewhat...

don't forget the lowly pcv valve. buy a new one for $1.79, you can clean them out, but they don't really work right after they get old.

Don't forget gas filter replacement as well.

If older then 5 years, I'd also recommend a Rad Fluid change, Transmisison Fluid change, transmission internal filter change, rear end fluid change, power steering fluid change and brake fluid change. I know these aren't really engine "tune up" items but if going "into the shop", these items can add more life as well.

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My van is running pretty well...but I was wondering if changing the water pump and alternator might be a good preventative maintenance step - change it before it breaks down on the road?

I am going to do a thorough tune-up - plugs, wires, rotor cap, carb adjustments....as well as a major round of fluid changes - radiator, oil, differential, transmission (i had jiffy lube do the tranny today) as some of you have mentioned. The last owner said that the fuel pump was replaced about 2 years ago.

I initially got the van to putz around town. Now that I have wheels and a mobile I am feeling the need to go farther. I want to go to British Columbia 2 days after thanksgiving, about a 450 mile trip one way. It is relatively flat. Would you trust driving my van?

Is there a "performance" air filter that will give the engine a little extra umph?

I would guess K & N makes one for a Astro.Really don't know for sure.Never thought it would matter that much.

I put a K & N in the SPB and I thought it felt a little peppier. Might be because I was $40 lighter in the wallet though...not sure!

yep your wallet will be lighter. The placebo effect will give you engine a 20hp boost.
save your money, put a new clean stock air filter in it. been there done that got the dirty t-shirt.

not to mention, in spite of what their websites might say, they don't filter as well... don't believe me do the web research.
dust and sand are not friends of your cylinder walls.