How often should a tuneup be performed?
Let me start by saying I had been an Automotive/Bus/Truck Mechanic for over 20 years. Also specialized in generator repair. But haven't done any mechanics since 1996. I had switched to truck driving from 1996, to 2002. Then went on the disabled list to present. I can still drive, legally.
I have a 1994 Ford F-250 XLT with a 7.5 L engine, automatic transmission. Present mileage: just over 214,000 miles. It had a complete long block rebuilt engine replacement at 121,416 miles. The last (minor) tuneup (spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter) was done at 209,926 miles, back on the 12th of November, 2013. The truck was given to me back in July of 2014, and has been sitting, non-op, since. I am going to try and get a smog certificate, so I can register it in my name, in California. I am thinking I should perform some type of tuneup. The truck seems to be idling a little high (possible vacuum leak?), and a slight miss while in drive.
My brother had this truck for 13 years and kept copies of all the service records performed by his mechanic. I never cared for his mechanic. In the 13 year, only 110,000 miles were put on the truck. There have only been 3 tuneups (2001, 2005, + 2013). In the first 2 tuneups, the spark plugs, distributor rotor, and filters were replaced. The last tuneup, only the spark plugs and filters had been replaced. The distributor cap and plug wires hadn't been changed by his mechanic, at all. And the last distributor rotor was replaced at 152,558 miles. During it's use in the past 13 years, the truck was only driven locally, never being driven on the freeways, or highways. I figure the top speed had to have been around 40 mph.
My main question is, how often, in miles and months, should a tuneup be performed? And should a complete tuneup be performed prior to getting a smog check?