Recommendation: Engine Analyzer

[Cuda340]

Greetings fellow forum members. I'm new to the Journal. Would like some recommendations for an engine analyzer for my early 70s Pymouth. It's a carburated motor with electronic ignition. I have several old-school analyzers and meters, but was curious what newer devices anyone has used and any feedback you can provide.

I'm not a professional mechanic....just enjoy tuning and working on my vehicle.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dodge610]

I got the mid range Craftsman one it seems to work well run me about $100.

 

[Cuda340]

Thanks....model number? features?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Don’t andpswer your question but here are a couple of things you may find interesting.

Here is the factory service training slide show for your ignition.

Here is the associated book with a test at the end.
http://www.allaboutvaliants.com/tec...73-11 (312) Electronic Ignition Diagnosis.pdf

Look for a Miller Special tool C-4166 on eBay. It was the factory tool to check your early electronic ignition system.

 

[dodge610]

Model 1655 retrives stored codes.freeze frame data,and system status. Too name a few. Its also an ABS diagnostic tool.

 

[Showkey]

Tachometer and timing light.........pretty much covers it.

Yes, back in the day full Sun scope and Exhaust gas analysis with cabinet the size of small car was the tool of choice.

Decent accurate tach will do cylinder balance ( if needed) and lean drop on carb adjust.


‘70 Plymouth........code reader will not do much

 

[dodge610]

. You mean like this one.


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[2ndGearRubber]

Quality vacuum gauge and a timing light.


A modern lab scope would do well for secondary ignition, and let you record as well as play back captured data. For the level at which most classics are expected to preform, the two tools I initially mentioned work well.

 

[engineer2]

A Bear Ace 40-950 series engine analyzer will do everything you want. Because of the peculiarities of Mopar ignition systems, it wall have you pull an ignition wire for coil output instead of calculating it. Not a big deal. They go for around $250-ish but you need to make sure the emissions analyzer is OK. The only drawback is they are huge and no parts are
available.

 

[SGKent]

what aspects of you engine do you want to analyze? It's not a trick question because they come in lots of varieties that do lots of things. Trying to give an answer to your question is like asking what kind of boat do I need? For what, shrimp trawling, competition water skiing, or bass fishing?

Do you want to analyze exhaust gases while at 5,000 RPM? Do you want to set the idle CO? Do you want to check the timing and dwell? Maybe you want to look at the coil waveform to see if there are any clues for leaky valves or worn rings in a cylinder? Look for misfires? Just dreaming what ifs?

 

[Cuda340]

Thanks everyone....your replies are appreciated. I do have the basic tools (vac gauge, timing light, tach, etc.), just wondered whether some of you used more specialized diagnostic equipment.

Shadowdog500 - thanks so much for the links I'll definitely study the information closely.

SGKent - good point about the vagueness of my post. I'm primarily interested in fine tuning carb (Thermoquad), which includes setting the timing for a good balance between performance and economy (not a daily driver). I'm curious about the coil waveform readings from the older oscilloscope machines, to help diagnose possible leaky valves or worn cylinder heads, but as someone else mentioned, those machines not only take up a lot of room, but finding one in good working condition is a challenge.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I just found the factory training video for that ignition.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Thanks everyone....your replies are appreciated. I do have the basic tools (vac gauge, timing light, tach, etc.), just wondered whether some of you used more specialized diagnostic equipment.

Shadowdog500 - thanks so much for the links I'll definitely study the information closely.

SGKent - good point about the vagueness of my post. I'm primarily interested in fine tuning carb (Thermoquad), which includes setting the timing for a good balance between performance and economy (not a daily driver). I'm curious about the coil waveform readings from the older oscilloscope machines, to help diagnose possible leaky valves or worn cylinder heads, but as someone else mentioned, those machines not only take up a lot of room, but finding one in good working condition is a challenge.

Those engines are easy enough to check with a standard leak down gauge. Next time you have the plugs out just do a leakdown.

 

[sberry]

For 1 off,,, if it was running good would skip it, find something else you need more.