Modern Classics Auto Service & Performance, LLC
Our Services
Air Conditioning
The Air Conditioning system in your vehicle helps defrost/defog the windows in the wintertime by removing the humidity in your vehicle's interior.
A/C systems need to have their fluids "changed" on a regular basis.
As long as you're A/C system is performing properly to specifications, there may be very little maintenance needed beyond a yearly inspection!
We can make your A/C system function as new again. Our services include, system diagnosis, locating leaks and recharging with the proper amount of refrigerant whether it's the "old style" R-12, or the "new style" R-134a. We do not use any other than these two OEM (manufacturer-approved) refrigerants. Our charging/recycling station prevents the refrigerant from escaping into the atmosphere when performing these operations.
All A/C evacuation/recharges performed include a free follow-up leak check up to two weeks after service to catch any secondary symptoms.
Brake Work
Our trained technicians can inspect your vehicle's braking system. We will then advise you on what repairs are needed, and the approximate cost of those repairs. By doing this, we will ensure that your car is safe to drive, while at the same time save you money by eliminating unnecessary repairs other shops may state are needed. When possible, we machine (or "turn") brake rotors and drums instead of simply replacing them. We only replace brake calipers when deemed necessary (such as leaks, sticking, damage, etc.), rather than just blindly replacing them at every brake job, which saves you, the customer, money.
Maintenance note: Brake fluid should be flushed/replaced every other year, or when the fluid starts to appear "dark" in color. This periodic maintenance keeps debris and moisture from producing corrosion and other complications with your brake hydraulic system. This is especially important in vehicles with an ABS system.
Carburetor Selection
A chassis dyno was installed for tuning purposes when the shop first opened in 1980. Shortly after taking over the business in 1999, we replaced it with a state-of-the-art Dynojet in ground chassis dyno.
Why spend lots of money either buying or building a specialty vehicle, only to not FINISH it up and get it tuned to run properly?
We can custom tune or overhaul the carburetor on your classic vehicle. Call us for help with the decision making process of which carburetor will most suit your application/situation BEFORE you work on your next project.
Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer, or we perform a full engine build and install for you, once your car is up and running, we can custom dyno tune it for the best drivability, startup, acceleration, fuel mileage, horsepower and torque. As part of this tuning, we will change metering rods, springs, jets and other carburetor settings as needed for the best possible drivability, horsepower and fuel mileage. Along with the previously mentioned services, we will also "dial in" the spark curve. This tuning will make sure your engine gets the proper air/fuel mixture and spark timing under all conditions. Once your custom build is assembled, we will inspect the vehicle and advise you of any other repairs, maintenance or upgrades necessary for the best reliability and performance possible.
Let us help you get all of the horsepower, fuel mileage and enjoyment you want and deserve!
Cooling System Flush & Fill
Your vehicle's cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled every two years if it has the green type (standard) coolant, or every 5 years/100,000 miles if it has a red/orange type (extended life) coolant. Even if the coolant "looks good", it can develop corrosive properties caused by dissimilar metals found in newer cars and trucks such as cast iron, steel, aluminum, and copper/brass. Those metals can actually act like a battery and produce a voltage inside of your cooling system which will then rot out gaskets, seals and metal parts including (but not limited to) the radiator, water pump, and heater core.
Flushing the cooling system removes these harmful contaminants and restores the "like new" function of your cooling system.
Our trained technicians will drain and flush your vehicles heating/cooling system. We will then refill with the correct 50/50 mixture of the specified coolant and water for proper anti-freeze protection, corrosion protection, as well as boil over protection.
We will inspect the belts and hoses, test for proper heater operation, test for proper cooling fan operation, inspect all lights, set tire pressures and check all under hood fluid levels.
A cooling system flush service includes up to 2 gallons of standard coolant, labor, and proper handling/recycling of your spent coolant. Dexcool or other special coolant types may be extra.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
DEQ Repairs
Our shop is proud to be one of the first shops to be recognized by the State of Oregon DEQ as a qualified repair facility. Our technicians are ASE/L1 certified.
If you have a "CHECK ENGINE" or "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" light on in your dash, you should bring your vehicle in for service as soon as possible so it can be diagnosed and repaired. If a warning light is displayed, it means that your vehicle may not be running efficiently, and be emitting harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Driving for an extended period of time with a warning light displayed, may damage your catalytic converters or other items. To avoid additional damage and potential expense, have your vehicle inspected as soon as you see a warning light displayed.
When it is time to renew your vehicle's tags or registration, it is best to take your vehicle to DEQ for an inspection. If it fails, bring us your readout and we'll schedule an analysis and diagnose what is causing your emissions system to under perform. We will contact you with an estimate for needed repairs.
* NOTE: Only an official State of Oregon DEQ test center can perform the actual compliance test and issue a passing slip which for registration purposes.
Electrical Diagnosis & Repair
Are you experiencing a strange or unusual electrical issue with your vehicle? Do some of the electrical items on your vehicle not work properly? Is your battery running down when the vehicle sits overnight or for a few days? Does your car sometimes not "crank" when you hit the key? Let us diagnose and repair it for you!
We strive for excellence in electrical diagnosis. Our experience with locating and repairing electrical problems is unmatched in accuracy and quality.
We also design custom electrical systems for your Modern or Classic vehicle.
Stop in or call today for more information and an appointment.
Fuel Injection Flush
Oil and Filter changes
Yes, we do these too!
Please call for our current rate, as we periodically run specials.
Keep your engine in top condition by changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. We will replace your dirty old oil with new Valvoline oil (mineral base) or Mobil 1 (synthetic) in the proper viscosity, depending on the factory requirements for your vehicle.
Modern Classics will replace the engine oil, filter, inspect & top off most fluids including power steering, transmission, differential, brake fluid, clutch fluid, and engine coolant. We will set the tire pressures, inspect the brakes (if visible through the wheels), belts, hoses, and lights.
*Most Oil Changes are competitively priced, to include up to 5 quarts of Valvoline motor oil (or the first $10.00 worth of Synthetic oil if required), an oil filter (up to $8.00 value), the labor of a qualified technician working on your vehicle, and the oil recycling.
Recycling
Our philosophy is to recycle as much as possible to make our world a better, safer and cleaner place to live.
We recycle:
- Office paper
- Cardboard
- Metal
- Oil
- Coolant
- Batteries
- Air Conditioning refrigerant
Inspections
- Vacation (trip) check
- Used vehicle inspection
- Safety inspection
- Track day performance pre-inspection
To assist you in a potential purchase or sale of a car, Modern Classics can perform a thorough inspection of that vehicle. After inspection, we will advise you of the repairs or maintenance that car may need, while providing you with an estimate of those repairs if you choose to have us perform them. This can useful when purchasing a vehicle since it may save you money in the long run, and may also be used as a bargaining tool with the seller of the vehicle.
Whether you're looking for a new or used car, we are available to guide you through your purchase.
Trip check inspections are very similar to a used vehicle inspection. Let us thoroughly inspect your vehicle prior to any road trip you are planning, to make sure your car is ready for the journey.
If you are planning on sending your kids off to college, we highly recommend a full inspection on the vehicle they will be driving prior to heading off to school. This will help make sure it is safe and reliable, to give both you and them peace of mind when they are on the road. It is much better to get your vehicle repaired when you can plan ahead for the repairs, rather than attempting to get it "patched up and on the road" while the kids are stranded out of town.
Tune up
Different vehicles need different maintenance at various
times. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to
tune-up maintenance. For this reason, we don't offer a
"flat tune-up fee". At Modern Classics we will perform a
thorough diagnosis (if needed) and inspection to determine
the exact needs of your vehicle. We can then advise you of
the repairs necessary to return your vehicle to tip-top
condition. We will inspect hoses, belts, fluids, spark
plugs, distributor cap and rotor (if equipped), test
exterior light operation, wipers, tire pressures, check for
leaks, or any other potential issues.
Our goal is to make your vehicle run at peak performance for better fuel economy and lower emissions.