Where to old tools

[Keith B.]

Where is a good place to buy a good dwell meter. When I want to tune up my points cars I have to borrow my relatives 70's Snap-On meter. But I'm afraid to buy one used and not being able to test it. I only need to use it at least once a year but I need one that's accurate too. Along with a timing gun. And on a side note I bought a set of NOS delco points last year that would not fire. Even though I got them out of a pull string box and the box looks new it's still no good.

[Mike E.]

Re: Where to old tools

Keith,
I'm surprised they still make new ones you can pick up on Ebay. I have a Actron ODB2 scanner that's 10+ years old, still works great. Doesn't have all the latest codes, will return the code number to then lookup.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Actron-CP7605-Dwell-Tach-Volt-Meter-Tester-RPM-Ignition-Dwell-Angle-Analyzer-/131410864838?hash=item1e98b2aac6&vxp=mtr

Mike

[Mark E.]

Re: Where to old tools

You can buy a variety of new electronic dwell/tach/volt meters on Amazon for under $30.

Or you can go retro, and buy a cool old Sun Engine Analyzer on eBay. You know- those large analog consoles the pros used in the day with all the dials and gauges that are on a roller cabinet or hang from the ceiling. Wouldn't that be a nice addition to your vintage-themed garage? They're all over eBay since mechanics no longer have a need for them.

I never thought about buying an old set of NOS points before. Over the years, I've had luck with Blue Streak (Standard's premium brand) and NAPA/Echlin ignition parts. I believe they're all made by Standard now. Amazon and the major parts stores carry them. And since they're new, you can return them if they don't work... what a concept.

[Keith B.]

Re: Where to old tools

Last year one of those new standard points left my dad and I sit on our way home from Carlisle. Got it home and put a old set of delco points in and the car started right up. And all I heard from all the old timers is how great original Delco points were. So I bought some. Granted I bought uni- set style. I wasent sure if the new ones are any good. Or how to trust old used ones.

[Donald L.]

Re: Where to old tools

Always had good luck with EBAY for points.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=bwd+points+gm&_osacat=6000&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xbwd+points+gm+112.TRS0&_nkw=bwd+points+gm+112&_sacat=6000

[Mark E.]

Re: Where to old tools

Keith- I'm sorry you had a bad experience and were stranded. I've only used Standard's "standard" brand a few times. It's hard to judge product quality with such a small sample size, but I've had very good luck with Blue Streak and Echlin (probably used 20-40 sets in my cars over the years).

Nothing wrong with uni-sets; in fact I prefer them. Easier to install and the simplified design probably eliminates a "point" of failure or two (pun intended).

[Mark E.]

Re: Where to old tools

Always had good luck with EBAY for points.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...12&_sacat=6000

eBay is great for rare, hard to find parts. But why buy from some guy doing business out of his garage when you can source the same or better part from an established business? I can return a part to Amazon, NAPA, AutoZone, or RockAuto with no hassle. Plus there's a smaller chance of getting a counterfeit Chinese part.

[Keith B.]

Re: Where to old tools

On a side note adjusting the dwell back to 30 solved the hiccup my engine had

[John H.]

Re: Where to old tools

Where is a good place to buy a good dwell meter. When I want to tune up my points cars I have to borrow my relatives 70's Snap-On meter. But I'm afraid to buy one used and not being able to test it. I only need to use it at least once a year but I need one that's accurate too. Along with a timing gun. And on a side note I bought a set of NOS delco points last year that would not fire. Even though I got them out of a pull string box and the box looks new it's still no good.

Keith -

I bought mine at JC Penney back in 1958 or so - solid chrome-plated die-cast case, glass meter lens, commercial grade leads and clips, dead accurate for rpm and dwell, still works great; they don't make them like this any more.


DwellMeter650.jpg

[Frank D.]

Re: Where to old tools

I found one at Advance Auto; a digital meter with many other functions including dwell. You really have to read the fine print carefully to find the dwell function listed - they ARE out there...

[Douglas L.]

Re: Where to old tools

I think the last one I bought(when my old hand me down one died) I got at Sears. Does dwell, tach and volts has a nice large gauge face and was priced very fairly.