Snap on something?

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tenfive0

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Anyone familiar with this or ever used one. I remember years ago when I was a gas jockey at an Exxon station the shop mechanics used one. But I forgot more then I can remember.

It came to me for free. I'd like to get an idea what it does and how to use it. It is supposably in working condition but there are no instructions. It looks cool enough with lot of knobs to turn to keep my busy and entertained for awhile. If I can't figure out what is does or how to use it I'll just add it to the collection of shop novelties and look at it wondering the possibilities. Maybe I'll use it as a boat anchor.
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Anyone familiar with this or ever used one. I remember years ago when I was a gas jockey at an Exxon station the shop mechanics used one. But I forgot more then I can remember.

It came to me for free. I'd like to get an idea what it does and how to use it. It is supposably in working condition but there are no instructions. It looks cool enough with lot of knobs to turn to keep my busy and entertained for awhile. If I can't figure out what is does or how to use it I'll just add it to the collection of shop novelties and look at it wondering the possibilities. Maybe I'll use it as a boat anchor. View attachment 1715539467 View attachment 1715539468
@halifaxhops deals in those.
 
What RRR said. We used those long before computers. You could analyze each cylinder, kill a individual cylinder. Rev the engine and watch for spark drop, misses and even how much voltage was needed to see if a plug or coil was dropping out or shorting internally. The one I learned on was about 10 times bigger and hung from the ceiling on a track so every bay could use it. Tons of harness when to it.
 
Yep. You could easily see a spike in one or more ignition wires.
I was trained breifly but that was it.
Was expensive in the day.
 
I think it shows an "EKG" of your ignition system, as cylinder pressure can change your spark plug output or something like that (Ask that one ignition maker guy....Taylor? {Jacobs}) Did you get any of the leads?
 
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I think it shows an "EKG" of your ignition system, as cylinder pressure can change your spark plug output or something like that (Ask that one ignition maker guy....Taylor?) Did you get any of the leads?

The only thing that is attached (hard wired) to the main box is a timing light and large alligator clip battery connectors.

You definitely need the leads to use it. Pretty cool tester. You might be able to find a manual here.
Internet Archive Search: creator:"SUN Electric Corporation"
 
Try to find the leads if you can I bet it works. Ever turn it on?
 
The leads are like regular battery ones? Get a pic of them and where they come out the back if you can.
 
if it only measures the ignition pulse and shows each coil strike as a sharp spike (4-6-8 at a time across the board) then possibly that is all it takes. a dead cylinder (low psi) would show a higher spark (less resistance). I think that's how it would measure cylinder health. Could be *** backwards but I know MSD publishes a 'hotter' spark to ignite "higher cylinder pressures" . Same way that ignition box works, ...Jacobs!
 
When properly working (with proper proprietary connection leads) the scope can measure distributor dwell, show you the condition of the coil and distributor bushings, show you "reserve" coil voltage (voltage above firing voltage) will show the condition of plugs and wires, and notice "cylinder balance." This is an electronic delay gate that pulls down the dwell on one cylinder and kills one cylinder at a time (selectable) You can then measure RPM drop in each cylinder. There are a number of other things that can be done depending on the instrument, I'm not familiar with that exact unit

The list at upper left says something about alternator. I'd guess at least it can measure charging / system voltage, and possibly amperage. Commonly, these would come with an adapter/ shunt fitting that fit between one battery post and cable (series) and in some cases could measure starter current as well.

Normally there are clips to the battery, and a clip to coil NEG
A clip that fits around the dist HV wire, and an adapter that goes into the no1 dist tower Others, depending on model

I think I can read something says "timing advance" so it should have a timing light with it as well
 
...........Actually you can do a load/ balance test without a scope. You need a good tach, preferably a dwell/ tach that is one with a lower RPM full scale. Pull up all 8 dist. tower boots. Depending on what you have, use a small thin grounding probe, or push very small brads or even paper clips down alongside each wire, so you can go 'round the cap with a grounding lead.
 
Used to do that with a test light, go through the wires one by one to find the cylinder that didn't cause a drop in rpm.
 
More pictures.
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Front and back. I never figure out how to use it.
It would help I'm guessing if you had a manual or instruction guide.
 
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