What is this Sun Tune-Up Machine worth?

[neblinc]

What should I be asking for this. I really don't want to give it away, but it's just overkill for what I would use it for.

Randy

 

[GRX]

Is that same as the Sun tester featured on an Episode of Pawn Stars? Think that went for $100 and a round of drinks.

 

[Spam16v]

They are of zero value honestly...

 

[Lotek]

We scrapped a few of those last year, why they were still in the shop I don't know. Unless you are going for a retro garage look, there are better, smaller tools out there. But if you have it, and have the space, use it until it dies.

 

[Benw455]

I paid 50 for mine. But I had to drive 150 miles to get it. I think its worth a couple of hundred.

 

[kevin47]

Ha Ha I just saw that on Pawn Stars...Couldn't hardly give away...Sure, I'd pay a $100 bucks for it . But I have old cars and could make some use of the old thing...

 

[64Trvlr]

Ha Ha I just saw that on Pawn Stars...Couldn't hardly give away...Sure, I'd pay a $100 bucks for it . But I have old cars and could make some use of the old thing...

I agree, I'd love to have it for $100 or so. If I was closer it would be in my shop already.

 

[zmotorsports]

Unfortunately they are not worth much if anything. I bough a used one exactly like it back in 1988 right after high school and used the hell out of it for ten+ years and made quite a bit of money with it but about five years ago I sold it because it was just taking up room. Most if not all of my diagnosing was being done by scanners and a DSO by the time I sold it.

I put it on a local website for sale and sold it to a gentlement who had some old collector cars and wanted it more for show as he didn't know how to use it anyway. It took me a while to sell it and almost thought I was going to have to give it away.

I paid $2500.00 for it used in 1988 and sold it for $250.00 in 2008.

Mike.

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

The local vocational trade school offered to give me one if I would haul it away! I took the light-up panel at the top and junked the rest. Not old enought to be really "cool" as garage art, but too outdated to be of use with newer cars.

Jim

 

[spongerich]

I wouldn't mind having one of those. Gut it to make some storage space and light up the panel for some garage bling... sure an older one would be a lot cooler, but they seem to be a lot more expensive.

 

[d.swanson]

The cables on it are worth something - especially the green AMP one - I bought a unit similar off ebay and the green cable was missing; then bought another one off ebay cheap just to get some spare cables and it was also missing the green cable - I still don't have one.

 

[Steevo]

They only have value to old guys like me who used them when they were the latest "high-tech" automotive tools.
I used one nearly identical to that one in an Accu-tune shop in San Jose, CA back in about 1980. I got my smog certification on similar equipment, too.

 

[chris142]

I sure could have used one yesterday. The points in a friend's scout closed up.took me longer to find my dwell meter with a dead battery than it took to reset the dwell.

 

[justanengineer]

I wouldn't mind having one of those. Gut it to make some storage space and light up the panel for some garage bling... sure an older one would be a lot cooler, but they seem to be a lot more expensive.

I always thought one of these would be awesome to have repurposed with a jukebox/stereo built inside, and maybe even a computer as well. Not only would it look good, but you could also added a fan and filter, a few seals, and have a "dust proof" setup.

 

[curly8888]

i would love to take it off your hands but you a little too far to drive and shipping would ****
i would gladly pay $100 or two to have one

 

[spotco2]

I've had a couple of those and they all worked well. Some were in better condition than others, but they all sold from $50-$250. A couple I got for free and a really nice one I had $75 in.

 

[4t42]

I had one for a few years, but it took up to much space for the amount of use it got. Sold it to a guy who only wanted to work on older cars. $200.00 and we're both happy.

 

[Tim Kennedy]

Guy on Pittsburgh craigslist has a Sun 820 diagnostic machine - wants $1000 for it!

 

[Lotek]

The bottom cabinet is handy with a desk top added as a mobile work bench...just don't try to sit a 400lb Volt battery on it, the casters don't like it.

 

[skyking]

That was my "hand held" back in the seventies.

 

[Falcon67]

I'd love to have it, probably even use it on the hot rods. Then after 304 years wonder why the hell I had it . Be fun to have if it all worked.

 

[mrpowderkeg]

I've been looking for one, they have their purpose still, it would be a great addition to my sun 506 distributor machine.

 

[joe_padavano]

...took me longer to find my dwell meter with a dead battery than it took to reset the dwell.

And THIS is why they are still valuable. You won't misplace this one.

 

[neblinc]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Seems it's worth nothing, or up to $250 to the right buyer. Will keep posting on CraigsList and see what happens. I may even haul it to the next swap meet and try my luck there.

Randy

 

[BigBoyinMS]

Just like the one I learned on... I'd have one in my shop if I ever get it built.

 

[Lotek]

And THIS is why they are still valuable. You won't misplace this one.

Tumeric pills are cheaper and more portable...

 

[Murphy4570]

That's a pretty cool old machine. Not really useful in a modern garage, but would be cool in a "retro" themed one that is more for show than profit anymore.

Old machines like that aren't really worth jack, unfortunately. I had an old Sun VAT-60 battery tester, worked fine. Gave the thing away to clear out some garage space.

 

[Aberdale]

I've got a Sun 1020 (about 1970 vintage) in my shop. I think everything works, but I've only dabbled with hooking it up to a couple older vehicles. I don't have a manual so I am really just guessing. I use the lower cabinet for tool storage for bulkier items like battery chargers, etc.

It looks pretty cool, and I get lots of comments on it. It fits in nicely with other vintage items in my shop. Although they're not worth much right now, I'll hold onto mine for another 20 years or so. Since so many of them are currently being scrapped, it might be worth something by then if there aren't many left.

 

[volaredon]

trade ya a working Snapon Counselor for it even up! the old Sun 915s and 1015s were set up a lil different, I liked better.

 

[Kevin54]

Is that same as the Sun tester featured on an Episode of Pawn Stars? Think that went for $100 and a round of drinks.

And that was really reaching to get the $100

 

[junkman104]

In 1976 that's what I learned on in high school vocational auto mechanics. High tech at the time. We also had a sun distributor scope. I now have a Snap On Counselor II engine scope and use it regularly.

 

[Krisdaan]

What should I be asking for this. I really don't want to give it away, but it's just overkill for what I would use it for.

Randy

 

[Krisdaan]

This is a TV mounted on a rail that goes back and forth and swivels remotely

 

[ordpete944]

I worked at a shop back in 1999 that had one sitting in a corner. The owner wouldn't even bother using it back then. I remember him saying how worthless it was now due to new technology. Man I feel old.

 

[engineer2]

Old thread but...
Pro
They are great for working on older cars with conventional distributors.
They have a coolness factor if you have the space for it.
You can help friends out with their old cars.
Con
Many parts are only available from other machines
Service info can be difficult to find. Are you up for DIY electronics repair?
When you croak, unless you have made arrangements, your heirs will likely scrap it.

 

[Ohio Auto]

There was a guy at Barrett Jackson this year that made a really nice countertop/bar with a Sun machine like that as the front .... if I had one that's what I would do with it.

 

[ddawg16]

This is a TV mounted on a rail that goes back and forth and swivels remotely

I was also about to point out this was a 9 year old thread...

But...cool use of it.

Now you should build a space ship around it.