Vintage Sun Testing Equipment

[goodfellow]

I spent my entire weekend driving all over "God's Creation" to pick up these two pieces.

1) 1948 Sun Master Distributor Tester / with vac pump that still work (see pic of 1950 advertisement). It needs a good cleaning and a new power cord, but is in real good shape on the inside. The cabinet will get a once over with spot remover, and then rubbing and polishing compound, but that's it.

The really "cool" part is that it has American car manufacturer's distributor specs up to 1950 on a Rolodex built into the Sun trademark sign on top of the machine -- see the pic. I love that part.

2) Early 60's (I think) Sun 1120 Electronic Engine Tester. The scope, gauges and all the lights still work. Love that old garage look.


The reaosn for my post is that I'm hoping someone has a manual for the Sun 1120. It came with a faded partial copy of the manual but I'd like to get a good copy. Also, if anyone has a line on accessories please keep me in mind. The original timing light is gone, so I'm hoping that one of you guys might have a lead on some of the accessories.

Much obliged

GF

 

[chammyman]

exactly what does the electronic engine tester test?

 

[64merc]

I'm not sure how all that stuff works, but that is the coolest thing I've seen in a while. Congrats on finding them in such good condition.

 

[krusty the clown]

exactly what does the electronic engine tester test?

it's an ignition scope along with a tach, dwell, vacuum guage, etc.

and very cool too........i saw one a couple of years ago for $50 and wanted it but i don't have room for a conversation piece that big!

 

[chammyman]

but it doesn't "power up the laser..."

bit of a let down

 

[eschoendorff]

but it doesn't "power up the laser..."

bit of a let down

Nor will it set itself to screen saver #5... but it is way cool if you have the room to spare.

 

[goodfellow]

but it doesn't "power up the laser..."

bit of a let down

ahh -- What?

not sure what you're asking. The reason for buying it was simple; it's vintage American equipment made by a manufacturer that understood better than anyone the concepts of quality and design.

I work on old cars and in that environment this equipment can still function and perform as originally intended. Plus it just looks damn good!

 

[Firetrucks]

I have some of the panels that fit that style tester (vacuum stuff mostly) and I might have a timing gun. I'll get a picture tomorrow and post it.

 

[cruiser808]

ahh -- What?

not sure what you're asking. The reason for buying it was simple; it's vintage American made equipment made by a manufacturer that understood better than anyone, the concepts of quality and design.

I work on old cars and in that environment this equipment can still function and perform as originally intended. Plus it just looks damn good!

I'm with you Goodfollow. I have a VAT 20 and a Snap-on MT-540 that I use all the time. For folks that like old cars, these things work just like they did in the 50's, 60's and 70's. It's fun to enter the way back machine and pretend you're one of those ole time crusty machanic guys your dad had a hard time with when he went in for a regularly scheduled oil change and lube. "Whatda mean I need new points, plugs and a condenser??? What's that gonna cost? It was running great yesterday!"

Good finds sir!

 

[goodfellow]

Thanks "Firetrucks" -- I would appreciate that very much!

"Cruiser808" - I know what you mean -- I have an old VAT 20 as well and use it regularly. Most guys that come over think it's an antique VOM multimeter. The term "carbon pile tester" doesn't even register. Most all my cars still require points, plugs and condenser -- so this equipment will help a lot in maintaining the "fleet".

There's something to be said for "old technology" -- it was functional and cheap.

 

[chammyman]

lets see a VAT 20 pic

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Two awesome machines. Congrats on something i wish i had.

 

[goodfellow]

Thanks Moose! Even though you're just a youngster, somehow I knew you would get excited about this OLD dirty, rusted and greasy equipment.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

There's something i love about all these old machines. I think it's maybe that people designed and built them. By that, i mean they're made to be functional, but they're also "crafted". Seems to be hard to describe. I'd love to have these in my shop, even if i couldn't use them. All the gauges and dials are perfectly crafted, there's no "mass produced" feel to them.

Very cool.

 

[Firetrucks]

Goodfellow
Here's what I have for timing guns.
#1 & 2 are labeled Sun
#3 is a mystery, but it was made in Indy. I did not cut the cord off!

If one works for what you want let me know. If you'll cover shipping you can have it.

 

[cruiser808]

#3 is an old Kal-Equip timing light.

 

[goodfellow]

Goodfellow
Here's what I have for timing guns.
#1 & 2 are labeled Sun
#3 is a mystery, but it was made in Indy. I did not cut the cord off!

If one works for what you want let me know. If you'll cover shipping you can have it.

Thanks a lot!! The middle one is about right --judging by the connector. I don't have a manual so part numbers are not available to me.

I'll PM you about the details --

Much obliged -- this makes my day.

 

[Elroy]

If one works for what you want let me know. If you'll cover shipping you can have it.

That's a right stand up guy type of offer there.

 

[goodfellow]

Thanks to "Firetrucks" generosity for providing me with the timing light. After a month of work; first in cleaning, painting and testing the individual modules, and then stripping and painting the main enclosure, I'm happy to say that this project is finished. It works as new, and looks almost new.

Here are a few pics of the finished product. Time to take a break and get back to working on cars ---

 

[64merc]

goodfellow, that is absolutely awesome!! I would love to see that thing in person and in use. I am not old enough to remember seeing those used in shops, so I can only imagine.

 

[246gts]

Hi Goodfellow

Congrats on the testing equipment, after the refurb they look just as we remember them, plus they will probably work for another 50 years!

Shop looks great, more photos when you have any please

Rgds
Dave

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have had to pass on several about like that through the years for cheap money due to either lack of funds, or room to keep one. I wish I had been able to buy them all. I recall passing on one for no more than 1-2 hundred due to lack of funds in the last 5 yrs alone! Yours looks great though.

 

[billymade]

I would contact Snap-On, they apparently bought Sun equipment at some point: http://buy1.snapon.com/snapon-store/customer.asp
Further down the page the have a # for "Snap-On equipment service"; looks like they might be the ones to call, could be a long shot as to wether or not they still have documentation but it is worth a shot...
There are a couple of manuals on ebay but I don't know if they are the right ones for your unit: http://shop.ebay.com/items/__Sun-te...QQ_kwZmanualQQ_ckwZuser?_trksid=p3286.c0.m104
more possibilities here: http://shop.ebay.com/items/__Sun-te...ZtesterQQ_ckwZmanual?_trksid=p3286.m104.l1200

This could be promising: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sun-...tem170271902950QQitemZ170271902950#ht_500wt_0

Turns out Snapon bought Sun in 1992... http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEEDF143FF932A3575AC0A964958260
__________________

 

[Thumper]

I've used those many times to tune a car up with.......theres nothing like the sight of a scope on the "raster" pattern !!

 

[convx4]

I am looking for a manual for what I believe to be a 1950's the Sun Sun Coil Tester AA3720 is 6 volt unit. I have a sun 900 tester pictured below that I just got. Outher vintage test equipment I have is a Allen distributor machine and a pair of Allen coil & condencer testers.

 

[skyfright]

Anyone know where I can get an operator's manual for a Sun 1600 Alternator test bench?
Ron

 

[theknurl]

I spent my entire weekend driving all over "God's Creation" to pick up these two pieces.

1) 1948 Sun Master Distributor Tester / with vac pump that still work (see pic of 1950 advertisement). It needs a good cleaning and a new power cord, but is in real good shape on the inside. The cabinet will get a once over with spot remover, and then rubbing and polishing compound, but that's it.

The really "cool" part is that it has American car manufacturer's distributor specs up to 1950 on a Rolodex built into the Sun trademark sign on top of the machine -- see the pic. I love that part.

2) Early 60's (I think) Sun 1120 Electronic Engine Tester. The scope, gauges and all the lights still work. Love that old garage look.


The reaosn for my post is that I'm hoping someone has a manual for the Sun 1120. It came with a faded partial copy of the manual but I'd like to get a good copy. Also, if anyone has a line on accessories please keep me in mind. The original timing light is gone, so I'm hoping that one of you guys might have a lead on some of the accessories.

Much obliged

GF

way cool, and 50 years from now it will still work, but unfortunately not on much.....

 

[hefty lefty]

ahh -- What?

not sure what you're asking. The reason for buying it was simple; it's vintage American equipment made by a manufacturer that understood better than anyone the concepts of quality and design.

I work on old cars and in that environment this equipment can still function and perform as originally intended. Plus it just looks damn good!

Most people want this stuff for the man cave nowadays. The distributor machine is something that is very useful if you do custom distributor work, obviously. I know of no modern equivalent.

 

[l6conv]

Hello all I'm new to this board but have been watching this post for awhile. Just bought a Sun engine tester a month or so ago( model 947) and just bought a manual off Ebay today. Next on the list are the cables and accessories, so if anyone has any or help find them I would appreciate it.Also on the list is a cabinet for it . Thanks Tony

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Hello all I'm new to this board but have been watching this post for awhile. Just bought a Sun engine tester a month or so ago( model 947) and just bought a manual off Ebay today. Next on the list are the cables and accessories, so if anyone has any or help find them I would appreciate it.Also on the list is a cabinet for it . Thanks Tony

 

[joel63]

#3 is an old Kal-Equip timing light.

Bought one just like it in 1968; served me very well for a long until I
went hi-tech with a Cman inductive one.
Repaired it back some time ago by replacing a capacitor; still have it.
Can't seem to part with it.

 

[szyg6h]

That is so nice. I trained at Sun's school in Milwaukee, about 1967 on the Sun 1020. I could do so much with that machine. I've browsed around for one "just to have". Have not found one near me or at a right price. No real need for one but I would make room for one, turn it on just to reminice.

 

[szyg6h]

"2) Early 60's (I think) Sun 1120 Electronic Engine Tester." "

btw, if I remember correctly, in 1967 the 1020 was the top of the line so I think your 1120 is maybe about 69 or later.

 

[millermaker]

Hello to all on Garage Journal

I'm Millermaker and new to the forum. I recently googled sun automotive tester and it led me here. So I've had this old sun machine for over 8 or 9 yrs it works but its been outside for a good 2 yrs and i hate that its just going to waste. I would like to sell it rather than see it wither anymore if anyones interested.

 

[skipskip]

Perhaps I'm a bit dense, but I was hoping for a bit more info.

What machine?
make?
model?
price?
location?

If it's been outside for 2 years, it may not be in perfect condition. do all the functions still work?

thanks

Skip

 

[blksheep]

Great job on that 1120 Goodfellow. I'm a former field rep. for Sun Electric and buy, sell, trade and collect old Sun pieces. Would love to hear from anyone wanting to move, trade or buy vintage Sun equipment.
Here's a couple pics of my garage currently.

 

[FANTM58]

Nice looking chevelle there ' 1970 ?

 

[crerus75]

Since this topic keeps getting bumped and Sun test equipment is so cool, I thought I'd add this site to the mix. The owner has bought and restored quite a bit of old Sun test equipment.

 

[engineer2]

I'm sure this has been posted before, but Mark Saunders in Michigan specializes in refurbishing Sun distributor testers: http://www.paramountd.com/

I know a few people who worked for Sun. Sun was at Harlem and Avondale in Chicago and then they moved to Crystal Lake, IL.

 

[boneyard]

Does anybody know anything about a Sun 705 Ignition Tester? I can't seem to find a single thing online about this particular machine? It's sort of like a scaled down Engine Analyzer. I just picked this thing up yesterday. At minimum, I'd like to try to find a manual and/or a schematic.