DIY Distributor test bench?
- Thread starter 80Stang
- Start date
hmmm I would think with today's modern electronics that a simpley dealy that coule be plugged into a computer would do nicely.
A
Anonymous
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How would you test for vacuum without the motor?
Say it ain't so!!! Time isn't a factor in my little DIY kingdom...80Stang":2gr7w13a said:
Anyway, I've seen it done with a distributor held in a vise, turned by an electric motor with a rheostat. Guy had a cheap optical tachometer (gadget used to RC Airplane guys to count prop speed) to monitor rpm. I don't know how, but he had an old timing light wired to trigger off of low voltage, and aimed it at the spinning rotor and used a cheap plastic protractor to measure the advance degrees.
Probably not the most accurate setup on the planet, but seemed to work pretty well.
80Stang
Well-known member
turbo: yes, I'd like to see it on the screen too.
drpepper: there are vacuum pumps available, I don't see a problem with this. Pump and a vac gauge needed, or if there is the computer anyway how about a MAP sensor in stead of the gauge...
jamyers: I see a wise too, an motor to rotate the shaft, a way to measure rpm (optical or magnetical), a reference point, and a way to measure timing (difference to the ref point).
It is not that spending time on DIY would really be wasted, actually it is worth every hour. But how to find the free hours...
drpepper: there are vacuum pumps available, I don't see a problem with this. Pump and a vac gauge needed, or if there is the computer anyway how about a MAP sensor in stead of the gauge...
jamyers: I see a wise too, an motor to rotate the shaft, a way to measure rpm (optical or magnetical), a reference point, and a way to measure timing (difference to the ref point).
It is not that spending time on DIY would really be wasted, actually it is worth every hour. But how to find the free hours...
If you've got a computer-controlled engine, there are plugs/adapters and software out there to plug a laptop into the computer and at least monitor engine activity, some systems let you change settings on the fly (at least on late-model cars).
You can check vacuum advance with the dizzy in the car - hook up a long hose with a vacuum gauge tee'd into it, and with the engine idling suck on the hose while noting vacuum levels and timing advance (with a standard light). As low-tech as it gets, but accurate. Most often though, I adjust the vacuum advance to the engine rather than a particular spec - just this side of pinging at a moderate load, which goes away with more throttle.
You can check vacuum advance with the dizzy in the car - hook up a long hose with a vacuum gauge tee'd into it, and with the engine idling suck on the hose while noting vacuum levels and timing advance (with a standard light). As low-tech as it gets, but accurate. Most often though, I adjust the vacuum advance to the engine rather than a particular spec - just this side of pinging at a moderate load, which goes away with more throttle.
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