Analyze this!

[BlackLead]

See, this is what comes of spending time on this forum. I have no idea how to use something like this, but thought it would at least be cool to have in the garage. There has to be a name for this condition.



Anyone want to clue me in on the many uses of this thing?

 

[Torque1st]

Back in the 50-70's with 12v systems and ignition points that was use to test many automotive components. Without the test leads and instructions it is 'decorative'.

 

[BlackLead]

Well, it has leads a-plenty, but no manual. I think I've found the model number. Looks like 1612182? Need to find a manual for it.

 

[holdover]

pretty expensive meter in its day, looks like most the leads are one or two wire, so would be easy to make up. I used something like this in the day to set dwell, GM products had a window on the dist cap so you could adjust points, if I recall most GM V8s were set at 30. not much application on newer vehicles, would work well with my classic mustangs.. nice paper weight!!

 

[Torque1st]

There are places that collect, copy, and sell automotive manuals.

 

[ddawg16]

It's about as rare as a car with points......

 

[Torque1st]

I still have two vehicles with points.

 

[santagary]

Yeah Torque...but you're an antique too.

 

[MartyO]

I still have two vehicles with points.

Only two???????????????????

 

[nehog]

There's a chance you'll be able to download a manual from Sears, if not these things were OEM'ed to a bunch of names and all were basically the same.

 

[Torque1st]

Hell, back when I was born 6 volt systems were the cat's meow and there were still people using hand cranks and carbide lights.

I have converted a few vehicles to 12V and that newfangled transistorized ignition. I just have two left and one will never be converted.

Google old "automotive manuals" and a few sellers may pop up.

 

[airbuff101]

Black,
I think the OEM for that was Actron 'bout 40 years ago...............

They made them for Sears, Kal-Equip, Penske et.al. back then.

Dig through here:
http://www.actron.com/user_manuals_disc.php

and here:

http://www.actron.com/user_manuals_disc_kal.php

might get lucky.......

airbuff

 

[mrbreezeet1]

pretty expensive meter in its day, looks like most the leads are one or two wire, so would be easy to make up. I used something like this in the day to set dwell, GM products had a window on the dist cap so you could adjust points, if I recall most GM V8s were set at 30. not much application on newer vehicles, would work well with my classic mustangs.. nice paper weight!!

Yep, that's what it was 30 degrees dwell . Set at about .016.
You could set them at about .017, gave you about 28 degrees dwell, as the points rubbing block wore a bit, would come back down to about .016, and 30 degrees dwell, stay it tune a little longer.
Timing was a little more advanced at 28* than 30*.........LOL
Thanks,
Tony

 

[Big Rick]

mine still works used it to check for bad wire on some equment on the bench

 

[redneckprofessor]

I have three of them. One, maybe two, works. I also have a Champion plug scope. Hook it up and watch a little green screen with a line for every plug. Purely nostalgia and decoration.

I came home one day with two rolls of Motorcraft stickers for oil changes. Probably late 70's to mid 80's, maybe. Wife couldn't understand why I would get them if I don't use them.

 

[BlackLead]

Thanks for all of your input. I spotted it at a Mustang show this past weekend, and I just couldn't pass it up for the paltry sum of $10. I imagine that between my dad and I, we can make some use of it, if we can sort out how it works. Heck, maybe we can finally figure out why that old 8N keeps crapping out (although I doubt it).

 

[mikeyr]

Hey, 4 of my 5 cars have points. Was down to only 3 cars for a while but I pulled all that fancy electronic stuff and went back to points. God, I wish I had never thrown away my functioning, working Sun oscilloscope about 20 years ago, but noooooo I took the thing to the dump and there was nothing wrong with it. I just figured points were going the way of the dodo bird, little did I know I would always points in some of my cars.

And making that work should be pretty easy, not a big deal to figure out if it functions, congrats on the purchase.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Hey, 4 of my 5 cars have points. Was down to only 3 cars for a while but I pulled all that fancy electronic stuff and went back to points. God, I wish I had never thrown away my functioning, working Sun oscilloscope about 20 years ago, but noooooo I took the thing to the dump and there was nothing wrong with it. I just figured points were going the way of the dodo bird, little did I know I would always points in some of my cars.

Heck don't really have to have points to use a Sun oscilloscope.
I'd love to find an old sun scope or Allen scope free or cheap, esp one of the little one's.
I used to have a little Allen, it would not do DIS , just systems with a coil wire, and you could put a GM HEI adapter on the HEI Dist. cap and hook the pick up to that.
Just gave a parade pattern, not stacked or raster, but it still was a pretty cool little machine.Did not short cylinders either, but I had a little MAC tester that did that. It (The MAC Tester) got stolen though.
Paid a guy $40.00 for it. (The Allen scope) But it got ruined from the place I was renting leaking garage roof.
In about 1985 I worked at a tune up shop that closed up and I offered the boss $500.00 for one of the little sun scope's, I forget the model,
But he wouldn't hear of it, acted like I was trying to rob him.
The Sun repair guy told me that was about all they were worth, as it was the model that was too old to be up graded to read DIS.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[38Chevy454]

Have three cars with points now and use a small handheld dwell meter on a regular basis. It is also an Actron brand with analog meters.

Set dwell first, then timing

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I have three of them. One, maybe two, works. I also have a Champion plug scope. Hook it up and watch a little green screen with a line for every plug. Purely nostalgia and decoration.

I came home one day with two rolls of Motorcraft stickers for oil changes. Probably late 70's to mid 80's, maybe. Wife couldn't understand why I would get them if I don't use them.

Can you post a picture of the little scope?
Thank's,
Tony

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Set dwell first, then timing

Right, dwell affects timing, timing don't affect dwell.
Tony

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

See, this is what comes of spending time on this forum. I have no idea how to use something like this, but thought it would at least be cool to have in the garage. There has to be a name for this condition.

That's cool! I'd love it merely for garage decoration along with my old aluminum drill and skilsaw. Good find.

 

[Torque1st]

Old instruments are fun to find, restore, and collect. I have a small drawer full of old tach/dwell/etc handheld testers. I have a couple 'analyzer' rigs. Some work and all await restoration. I used a regular oscilloscope instead of a dedicated automotive scope. It is a PITA to set up and not near as useful compared to a dedicated unit. Calibration is non-existent but it is good for parade and stacked patterns. I wish I had an old Sun scope.

I have also collected other automotive test units and tools like radiator pressure testers and PCV valve testers.

If you find an old strange tool make sure you post pics in the tool forum. Someone here may know what it is or may need it.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I wish I had an old Sun scope.

Again, Me too,
Thanks,
Tony

 

[toolman1967]

I bought almost the same thing at an auction several years ago for a few dollars. Never dug it back out to see how to use it. I had my dad look at it after I saw this thread and he was like " you plug this in here and use it for this" I gave it to him because he was having so much fun reminiscing about it.