Let's Hear it for your Sears Engine Analyzers..

[Ponchoguy]

I found this one some time ago thrown out and I grabbed it. It is a 1980 model. Was missing one attachment which I got at the time for no charge from Actron Mfg. They made "161" model prefix product for Sears and also "244" was Peerless Instruments which they bought circa 1983.

Actron has since been sold and I believe they have gotten "amnesia" on the old stuff.

I also have a 1981 (or so) engine analyzer still in the box (but lightly used) that my dad bought, and a 1985-1986 "dual version" (digital and analog) analyzer that I got off Ebay.

All are "161" branded product as well as my Craftsman timing light with advance function.

 

[619DioFan]

I have that same analyzer. been a very long time since I owned a vehicle I could use it on.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have that same analyzer. been a very long time since I owned a vehicle I could use it on.

This was sold in the auto department from what I remember of these back in the day. I have three of 'em as noted.

I remember bringing this to my old job and one of the guys that ran the engineering lab actually "tuned it up" and we factory adjusted it. Actron actually sent me the specs and the blueprint for this machine and from that my friend said, "Ah, no sweat, let's adjust it". It wasn't that far off.....

 

[theoldwizard1]

I wanted one of those SO BAD back in the day.

I could only afford the Penske dwell tach. Nice unit. Did lot of tune ups with it.

 

[Packard V8]

I have a slightly smaller model with similar functions, been using it for fifty years. Sometimes I have to drag it out when the high-zoot inductive RPM pickup on the digital Fluke 85 doesn't work as advertised.

jack vines

 

[Ponchoguy]

These things were fantastic.

 

[joel63]

I wanted one of those SO BAD back in the day.

I could only afford the Penske dwell tach. Nice unit. Did lot of tune ups with it.

That was back in the early '70's for me, but the $$$$$ wasn't there, so I made do with my United Delco Tune Up Tester.

Nice instrument, but no amps measuring capability.


I still have it, but don't know if works now.

 

[doan]

This is my Dad's from the 70's. Mint condition, Does everything

 

[cregulator]

what is this? and how exactly does it work?

 

[Ponchoguy]

what is this? and how exactly does it work?

An engine analyzer that hooks up to the battery of the vehicle and does tests/adjustments on the ignition system, timing, charging system and the like. It was the 60's/70's version of the "scanner" that we have today. Back when you could tune a car by ear .

That Penske one in the photo was probably a '244' Sears model prefix Peerless Instruments made unit. Actron (vendor 161) bought them out circa 1983 from what I remember. Up until a few years ago, when I sent an e-mail to Actron, I'd get a response from the same guy all the time. In talking to him, just by e-mail, I could tell he was a company veteran and knew the old product.

As I stated, he would gladly send me old owner's manuals, blueprints for adjustment, and they even sent some of the missing parts to make mine complete.

This was a simpler time in the automotive world.....

 

[scissorman]

I also have that same analyzer that my dad gave me and I haven't used it in years for obvious reasons.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I still have cars that these will work on, so they are a permanent part of my collection...

 

[340wedge]

I bought these when I was in High School, circa 1983! .I don't use them much anymore but they bring back memories.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I bought these when I was in High School, circa 1983! .I don't use them much anymore but they bring back memories.

I believe those gauges were made by A&E/Starr Hoffman/Lang and that's around the same year my dad got his (maybe '82?). That looks like the non-advance style light, I have the later advance style light.

 

[340wedge]

I believe those gauges were made by A&E/Starr Hoffman/Lang and that's around the same year my dad got his (maybe '82?). That looks like the non-advance style light, I have the later advance style light.

Thanks Ponchoguy that's a lot of info..I think you are right, the timing light is the non advance.

 

[RM209]

This is my Dad's from the 70's. Mint condition, Does everything

Sorry for being Off topic, but is that a Mini-Moke? It's definitely a Brit vehicle.

RM209

 

[Ponchoguy]

Thanks Ponchoguy that's a lot of info..I think you are right, the timing light is the non advance.

Starr Hoffman used to be in Lindenhurst, LI by the train tracks and I knew people that worked there. Every one of their parts had a little "Made in USA" American flag on the pouch. I have several of their products in my toolbox.

They rebadged for Sears Craftsman, Matco, Snap On, Mac, and others. All of those compression testers, fuel injection kits, and the like you see are more than likely rebadged Starr-Hoffman product.

The people there were really nice. A friend of mine had a fuel pressure gauge with a worn out hose. I took a photo of it, sent it to the woman I knew at Starr, and in 3 days, my friend had a replacement hose, no charge.

 

[mikegt4]

I bought one new in about 1970. It worked great until my BIL borrowed it back in the 1980's. I still have it but not all the functions work. I picked up another non working one at a swap meet for parts.

doan, that is in great condition, looks just like mine. Nice Bugeye

 

[Ponchoguy]

I bought one new in about 1970. It worked great until my BIL borrowed it back in the 1980's. I still have it but not all the functions work. I picked up another non working one at a swap meet for parts.

doan, that is in great condition, looks just like mine. Nice Bugeye

If it was the "old Actron", I would have said one of the guys there could have gotten you the blueprint and if you're good with electronics, you might be able to figure out where the fault lies.

As I said earlier, they've gotten "amnesia" over the old product.

 

[doan]

Sorry for being Off topic, but is that a Mini-Moke? It's definitely a Brit vehicle.

RM209

Close, same engine...It a 59 Austin-Healey Sprite.

 

[doan]

I bought one new in about 1970. It worked great until my BIL borrowed it back in the 1980's. I still have it but not all the functions work. I picked up another non working one at a swap meet for parts.

doan, that is in great condition, looks just like mine. Nice Bugeye

Thanks, I have all the original documentation if you need it.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I can picture the ads for these, roughly $59.99 in the 1980s in the auto section of the Sears ads that came in the paper. My family had an "uncle" (every Italian family has an "uncle" that's not your uncle, but is a family friend) that managed a Sears locally and he would purchase sale items for us. We used to do "community buys" (my real uncle, my father and grandfather) on anything that was an occasional use, but good to have---my father was usually the "keeper" of those items.