Automotive Tune-Up Testing Equipment

[busaddict]

Here's a thread for those technical toys, vintage ones in this case. I'd been looking for one of these to add to my modest collection of tools and finally found one at a used sale for 10 bucks. It appears to be a 1972 Micronta (Radio Shack) Auto Tune-Up Analyzer. It tests the regular tach (hi or lo RPM,) dwell, volts, amps and points. It cost USD $39.95 in 1972 which would be around $200 in today's money. Although the box has some water staining the unit itself is pristine and has been protected from any corrosion or dust build up. I tested it out on the bus and it seemed to be very accurate. My points are reading 49 degrees dwell warm, and 46 cold. Funny how hi-tech these testers looked years ago. Now you need what amounts to a pocket computer/scanner to read factory codes on modern vehicles. As a bonus it came with the manual and an old Champion tune-up guide. We begin with a seventies ad from Popular Mechanics.   

[Brenticon]

Pretty fancy dancy

[busaddict]

"Save dollars on every mile you drive"

[Volktales]

That machine should work just fine on your old bus. Dwell meters are by far the best way to set your points.

[busaddict]

Jun 26, 2015 19:31:41 GMT -8 Volktales said:

That machine should work just fine on your old bus. Dwell meters are by far the best way to set your points.

I see reference in some generic technical articles about how to set your dwell with the engine running. This is I imagine not possible with VW engines and would probably require some kind of real time adjust screw. I set the points then check the dwell to verify. Thanks Russ

[mitchy965]

gms delco remy distributor had a window with a tin hatch that hid the running dwell adjustment screw.... 30 degrees of simple heaven

[busaddict]

I find it hard to believe that it has been 4 years since my last post in this section. On that note here is the latest addition to my modest assortment of automotive testing equipment, an Equus Metal Inductive Timing Light Model 3112. It features a very small spotlight to find your timing mark and a "Double Check" indicator to make sure you've got everything hooked up properly. Bought it with some other bits at a thrift sale, so maybe I paid six bucks for it. Although it looks vintage with a metal case I think it was made in 1995, a nice solid timing light