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BFB
Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2014
Posts: 1762
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 Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:23 pm Post subject: DIY dizzy machine |
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Anyone ever built their own distributor machine to test & tune them?
I’d thought about building one out of an old engine. Maybe cut the case in half and use the rear half and cut & mount the crank stout to an electric motor. Then you could mont the dizzy in a familiar location, use the motor to spin the dizzy at variable RPM and a degree wheel to check timing.
I dunno, maybe dumb idea but im just trying to post some stuff because the board is slooooooowwwwww
_________________
Forced induction can overcome a lot of obsticles that gets in it's way
"You are the Engineer and the Mechanic.
Build it your way not the way someone else does it. Their way might not work for you." - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
“ The monkey see monkey do mentality seems to run deep in VW people. "Gene Berg said it was so 30 years ago so thats the way it is" “ - bdkw1 |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77012
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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You need a variable speed DC motor, a chuck to hold the drive. A degree wheel , a strobe and a tach.
Its a lot of work and parts for the little use it will get.
And then what will you do wit the information?
Show a graph of the curve and 99% of people won't know if it's good or bad.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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esde
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007
Posts: 5975
Location: central rust belt
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| Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| BFB wrote: |
Anyone ever built their own distributor machine to test & tune them?
I’d thought about building one out of an old engine. Maybe cut the case in half and use the rear half and cut & mount the crank stout to an electric motor. Then you could mont the dizzy in a familiar location, use the motor to spin the dizzy at variable RPM and a degree wheel to check timing.
I dunno, maybe dumb idea but im just trying to post some stuff because the board is slooooooowwwwww |
That's a boat load of work to do what a shitty used motor will do.
Stick a tach on it, a timing light, and a pad of paper and pen.
Of course you could make it more complicated but why?
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modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
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BFB
Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2014
Posts: 1762
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| Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2024 7:19 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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You people are always so positive, it’s no wonder this place is as dead as it is these days….
Of course it needs all that shit Glenn, duh.
And edse, you know what happens when you jack with a dizzy on a running engine? It changes RPM … Be a lot easier to toy with the timing on something that doesnt keep changing as you do. Theres a reason they used to make these machines.
And who says anyone is making a graph for anything ?
Fuckin bunch of negative nellies
_________________
Forced induction can overcome a lot of obsticles that gets in it's way
"You are the Engineer and the Mechanic.
Build it your way not the way someone else does it. Their way might not work for you." - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
“ The monkey see monkey do mentality seems to run deep in VW people. "Gene Berg said it was so 30 years ago so thats the way it is" “ - bdkw1 |
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chrisflstf
Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2004
Posts: 3457
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2024 7:36 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| Ive used a running used motor to map out an advance curve using a tach and strobe. Easy to do |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77012
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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esde
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007
Posts: 5975
Location: central rust belt
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| Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2024 10:34 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| BFB wrote: |
And edse, you know what happens when you jack with a dizzy on a running engine? It changes RPM … Be a lot easier to toy with the timing on something that doesnt keep changing as you do. Theres a reason they used to make these machines.
And who says anyone is making a graph for anything ?
Fuckin bunch of negative nellies |
No need to get all twisted, you started asking for advice and said yourself that
| BFB wrote: |
.
I dunno, maybe dumb idea |
Sure a variable speed DC drive for the distributor would be ideal, or a used SUN machine. But if you make it, then you have to devise how youre going to show iginition advance in degrees. By all means don't let anyone get in your way, go do it. 
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modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77012
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2024 10:43 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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Years ago, a friend came over with an old Tektronix 2465 oscilloscope and it was interesting.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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modok
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009
Posts: 26800
Location: Colorado Springs
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| Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2024 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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People think in terms of what they already have.
He has a lot of junk engines. 
I have a dozen variable speed machines that can spin a distributor already, so I'd use one of those and a degree wheel and a timing light and a good tach if I wanted to test distributors indoors.
And I have before, didn't take long to cobble up a temporary rig.
I don't like machines that can only do one task.
Make it a spintron that can also test distrubutors. Then at least it can do two things. |
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Dusty1
Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2004
Posts: 1436
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 5:50 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| Glenn wrote: |
You need a variable speed DC motor, a chuck to hold the drive. A degree wheel , a strobe and a tach.
Its a lot of work and parts for the little use it will get.
And then what will you do wit the information?
Show a graph of the curve and 99% of people won't know if it's good or bad. |
Glenn will know... 
| modok wrote: |
People think in terms of what they already have.
He has a lot of junk engines.
I have a dozen variable speed machines that can spin a distributor already, so I'd use one of those and a degree wheel and a timing light and a good tach if I wanted to test distributors indoors.
And I have before, didn't take long to cobble up a temporary rig.
I don't like machines that can only do one task.
Make it a spintron that can also test distrubutors. Then at least it can do two things. |
A running VW with a degree pulley and a timing light would do it. It will multitask by driving you to The Greedy Mart.
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RWK
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009
Posts: 1366
Location: S.W. MI
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 6:15 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| BFB wrote: |
You people are always so positive, it’s no wonder this place is as dead as it is these days….
Of course it needs all that shit Glenn, duh.
And edse, you know what happens when you jack with a dizzy on a running engine? It changes RPM … Be a lot easier to toy with the timing on something that doesnt keep changing as you do. Theres a reason they used to make these machines.
And who says anyone is making a graph for anything ?
Fuckin bunch of negative nellies |
For positivity, show us what you built, rather than what you think you may build,
everyone has opinions on ideas, positive or negative.
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vwracerdave
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004
Posts: 15322
Location: Deep in the 405
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:19 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| BFB wrote: |
| I dunno, maybe dumb idea but im just trying to post some stuff because the board is slooooooowwwwww |
| BFB wrote: |
| You people are always so positive, it’s no wonder this place is as dead as it is these days…. |
He has no interest in building a test machine. He's just trolling you guys because he's bored and wants to start an argument.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK |
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Brian_e
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2009
Posts: 3301
Location: Rapid City, SD
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:39 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| vwracerdave wrote: |
| BFB wrote: |
| I dunno, maybe dumb idea but im just trying to post some stuff because the board is slooooooowwwwww |
| BFB wrote: |
| You people are always so positive, it’s no wonder this place is as dead as it is these days…. |
He has no interest in building a test machine. He's just trolling you guys because he's bored and wants to start an argument. |
1000x
Myself and at least one other samba member have a sizable archive of PM's from him relentlessly rambling on, spewing profanities, calling me an idiot, with really nothing actually said; especially anything productive.
Pretty certain there will be more headed my way now from him. Dave will be most likely getting some as well. 
Just to keep it on topic....I had a near mint Sun 500 tester and cabinet I got from the local school district. I used it a few times. Made some changes to a few points distributors, and that was about it. It took up room in the garage, and never got used, so I sold it to a guy for $100. He wanted it to look cool in his "man cave". Without modification, a normal tester won't work with electronic ignitions. Points only, and I was long past that point.
Now I just do the timing light on a running engine test. Much easier. Without a dyno, you will have a hard time seeing much difference in a few hundred RPM difference in advance curve.
Brian
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77012
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:54 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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He went on a bender last Saturday... April 20th.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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Brian_e
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2009
Posts: 3301
Location: Rapid City, SD
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:17 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| He went on a bender last Saturday... April 20th. |
Mine were the 13th-15th. Maybe I set the tone for the rest of his week.
I read half of the first sentence of his last message, and then just deleted it. It was really long, and a total waste of time. The entertainment value wasn't even there anymore.
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77012
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:27 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| Brian_e wrote: |
| Glenn wrote: |
| He went on a bender last Saturday... April 20th. |
Mine were the 13th-15th. Maybe I set the tone for the rest of his week.
I read half of the first sentence of his last message, and then just deleted it. It was really long, and a total waste of time. The entertainment value wasn't even there anymore. |
You can ignore him by clicking here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode...p;b=373393
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12792
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 10:06 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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I have thought about doing just that several times in the past. Re-curving a distributor in the car is very time consuming.
Then I got my first taste of crank trigger ignition... I think you could convert for about the same cost as building a distributor machine. It might still be worth it though if you have multiple distributors to check out and use. Not for just one.
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
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ORANGECRUSHer
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2006
Posts: 2700
Location: West Coast (Michigan's)
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 10:40 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| BFB wrote: |
You people are always so positive, it’s no wonder this place is as dead as it is these days….
Fuckin bunch of negative nellies |
Ah, yeah, that's because people who are out there busy actually doing shit aren't sitting next to their computers waiting for you to post something they can slam. Personally, I don't know anyone who gets on here. They all avoid this site like the plague. Lately, with a few exceptions, I would have to agree. But you kinda get what you put in. What do you expect? Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed. There's maybe a dozen people keeping the place going with actual knowledge. The rest are lurkers or dumb-asses like me. I've had topics I was researching and came across really nice looking forums. However, when I tried to strum up some conversation, crickets. That's how the Samba will be eventually. Maybe not quite that bad. You should have been here 20 years ago. We all had a better attitude. Now we're old and bitter. Get off my lawn!
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
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vwracerdave
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004
Posts: 15322
Location: Deep in the 405
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:54 am Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| He went on a bender last Saturday... April 20th. |
Is that the day he bumped up a couple of 10 year old post just to see what would happen.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77012
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: DIY dizzy machine |
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| vwracerdave wrote: |
| Glenn wrote: |
| He went on a bender last Saturday... April 20th. |
Is that the day he bumped up a couple of 10 year old post just to see what would happen. |
Yes
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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