Gents (probably those over 50) -

Do you guys remember the old SUN free standing engine analyzers? The ones with the oscilloscope, a dozen cables and "stuff"? The cool thing was that besides seeing what was going on, you could shut down one or more cylinders on the fly.

They are still available on eBay, but I gotta think with the way micro processors have progressed, there's got to be a hand-held device with the same features.

Any body know of one or something similar?

Archer

 

There is, but "I cannot afford one." Also, it's completely different technology. The "old school" analyzers triggered off points, and in some cases would work or could be adapted to trigger off breakerless DISTRIBUTOR fired ignition, and needed a COIL WIRE to read the ignition pattern, as well as the no1 plug

But with crank triggers, and individual coil ignition, this presents a whole new set of problems. I see these here locally on Craigslist, but I have no need nor the room for one. There's what looks like a fairly nice old Sun here locally for 300 bucks.

The thing is, much of that is now "built into" your vehicle with OBD-II

 

440 -

I know how much the OBD hand-held devices cost and besides being obscene, happily isn't what I'm looking for. I mean the older #1 plug wire/coil wire, battery hook-up in a smaller version for my 74 Charger.

I just think it would be a hoot and probably fairly inexpensive with current technology. Yes, I already have the usual ignition multimeter, but it would be cool to see the wave fronts and be able to cut out each cylinder without pulling a wire from the dizzy.

Thanks,

Archer

 

If you just want a scope, you can actually adapt a used oscilloscope without much trouble, and Heathkit made a small ignition scope. You'll find em on ebay once in awhile. There's a couple of scopes (example) here locally that is "lab" oscilloscopes for 70-80 bucks.

 

440 -

I've used Heathkit scopes and transducers before, so yes, I could probably adapt one, but I'd have to figure where to connect it for different readings and have the right transducers while not blowing it out.

Guess I need to be a little clearer. What I'd like to be able to do is shut down a cylinder on demand and reintroduce it. Yes, I could just pull the plug wires one at a time, but I've been shocked before due to arcing.

Saw an old SUN Analyzer on TV a while back and it brought back some fun memories.

Thanks,

Archer

 

I don't like getting zapped, and you should NEVER pull a plug wire off, especially with electronic ignition. When I want to run a cylinder balance test, I simply do one of two things:

My usual way is to use my 12V test lamp, which of course has a ground clip, and a very sharp probe. With the engine off, I loosen all the dist. cap boots and pull them up, as well as loosen the wires so they will come out. When I want to short a cylinder, I hold the probe by the side of the wire as I pull it out so that the spark "wants" to go to the probe. Then as you get the wire coming out, put the probe down in.

The second way, which is sometimes necessary for more questionable cases, is to pull all the dist. boots up, and insert tiny brads/ nails down beside the wires. You can buy small packs of these at the hardware store for nearly nothing. Then simply ground one with a clip/ test probe

Anyway, if you want one, I don't know how large your local area is, but get busy on Craigslist. I see them here all the time, mostly looking for a killer buy on a distributor machine

 

440 -

Thanks, good info. I don't have anywhere near the space for the full size monster SUN machines (yes I've seen them on eBay too), I was hoping some one came out with an updated version, in a much smaller size.

Guess with the OBD-II / computer ports it's no longer needed in quantity. Still for us older car types, thought it might be a good or at least idea. I could see one briefcase size or smaller.

Thanks again,

Archer