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Back in the day, I had a simple car with a simple 4-cylinder engine. About every 5000 miles I gave it a tune-up. This involved:
* Adjusting the valves by setting the clearance between the valve stem and the rocker-arm with a feeler gauge.
* Removing the spark plugs, cleaning them, and adjusting the spark-gap with a feeler gauge.
* Cleaning and-or replacing the points in the distributor. The points are the mechanical switch that opens and closes to trigger each spark. If the points were replaced, replace the condenser (capacitor) that is also part of the spark circuitry.
* Balance the carburetors. It had two. Adjust them so that all 4 cylinders generate the same power as you push on the gas pedal.
* Adjust the timing by rotating the distributor using a timing light to get it right.
After doing all these things, the engine was quiet, smooth, and reasonably powerful. Over time everything would get out of adjustment, and the engine would get noisier, less powerful, and poorer gas mileage.
On modern engines basically none of these things are necessary.
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