shop tools!

[tonyk72]

I got all the wrenchs/sockets/hammers that I could possibly use on the 'vette...
Now its time to go all out! What do I need in terms of a timing light? I see inductive & inductive advance at Sears...whats the difference? What do I actually need?
I do need a tach and dwell meter for my points distributor...whats a good one to get?
I also see engine analyzers that measure about 30 different things...can I use one of these instead of a tach & dwell meter?
I never used any of these gizmos, but they look cool...my wife thought I was shopping for a gun yesterday when she glanced over at my ebay search results for "timing light"... :L

Am I missing anything as far as my basic/advanced tune-up tools?
I also see a bunch of stuff on ebay with great prices and different brands...what brands to stay away from?

Do I need this? Looks like I can tune up my car and surf the CAC at the same time...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43989&item=2420984225

Or should I spend the $$ on a mechanic to do my tune up stuff for me?

 

[JohnZ]

You can do your own tune-ups just fine - all you need is an inductive dial-back timing light (Sears has them, made by Actron, who sells the same guts in a different case at www.actron.com - Actron makes the Sears lights). That, a dwell meter, and a vacuum gauge will give you everything you need.

Forget the engine analyzer - the key words in that auction are "condition unknown" and "660 lbs."

 

[tonyk72]

Thanks John, can you tell me how a digital timing light is different from a standard timing light? My understanding is that a standard timing light will "freeze frame" whatever it is your supposed to be looking at...I have a vague idea of where to point it...there are some markings that will show me how many degrees of advance I got...I'd have to read up on it some more...but what would the digital model with the LCD panels display?

 

[grumpyvette]

heres the other tools youll need

a set of quick release tools for late model gm fuel lines and a/c line disconnects.
ACETOLENE TORCH
ADJUSTABLE LENGTH PUSHROD
ADJUSTABLE POINTER ,
adjustable stand,for dial indicator
assorted pliers/vise grips
air compressor
air ratchet
Allen wrenches
ASK QUESTIONS
ASSORTED FILES
ASSORTED SOCKETS,OPEN AND BOX WRENCHES 1/2",3/8".1/4" DRIVE
ball joint press tools
ball joint separator forks
battery charger(full size shop type)
Bench grinder w/ wire wheel
big huge screwdriver which doubles as a pry bar
BORE GAUGE
brake spring pliers and retaining spring tool
CAM BEARING INSTALLER
CAM DEGREE WHEEL
CAM HANDLE
CARBIDE BURRS
CC Buret Kit/PLUS STAND
checking springs
chisels (assorted sizes/types)
clamp for compressing calipers
CLUTCH PILOT
coil spring compressors
compression testor
COMON SENSE
CRANK SOCKETS
creeper
Crows feet
CYLINDER HONE
DENT PULLER
DEPTH GAUGE
dial indicator,
Die grinder
Differential Set-up Kit
distributor wrench
DRIFT PUNCHES (assorted sizes/types)
drain pans all sizes
dremel tool set to cut rivets etc.
DRILL PRESS
drop light/(floresent prefered)
dwell meter for the older cars
EASY OUTS
ELECTRIC SOLDER GUN
Electrical tape
engine hoist
ENGINE LEVELER
ENGINE STAND
Feeler Gages
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
flexible dwell key for point distributors
FREEZE PLUG INSTALLER
FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE
full set of assorted hammers all the way up to 5 lb hand held sledge or mall hammer
full set of tap and dies metric and standard
full set of torqze tip screw drivers and sockets male and female all sizes
full size vice
Gasket scraper
Gear Pullers
gm disk brake caliper allen key 3/8 and 5/16
grease gun
harmonic balancer puller
HARMONIC BALLANCER INSTALLER
HONING STONE
jack stands and a 2 1/2 -3 ton full size service floor jack
JEWELERS FILES
LAPTOP COMPUTER
leakdown tester
LIFTER BORE HONE
LIFTER GROUVE TOOL
LUIS TOOL
magnet
MAGNETIC PICK UP TOOL
MAGNIFYING GLASS
MANUAL LUBE PUMP
MICROMETERS
MIG WELDER
Mini Valve Spring Tester
MIRROR
multimeter
normal screwdrivers all sizes
NUT SPLITTER
OIL CAN
oil filter and regular spin on filter wrenches.
Oil filter wrench
Oil Pump Primers
ONE NEW SOLID LIFTER
PB BLASTER OIL
pipe cutter
PISTON RING COMPRESSOR
piston stop,
pitman arm puller
Plasma cutter
PLASTIC HAMMER
pneumatic chisel
pneumatic impact guns 3/8 and 1/2 drive
pressure bleeder for brakes
PRY BAR
PUSHROD CHECKER
putty knife
ramps
rear caliper piston turning tool
REFERANCE MANUALS
RIFLE CLEANING ROD AND BRUSHES FOR OIL PASSAGES
ring expander pliers
RING GAP FILER
rochester idle mixture adjusting tool
ROD BOLT GUIDES
ROD BOLT STRETCH GAUGE
SCAN SOFTWARE
SMALL FLASH LIGHT
snap ring pliers internal and external
SPRING COMPRESSOR
standard set of drift pin punches,alignment punches,[censored] and cetering punches.
steering column lock plate compressor
steering wheel puller
Stethoscope
STUD INSTALLER
TAPE MEASURE
test light
three or four of every size socket and wrenches
timing light
Tire Pressure Gauges
TORQUE WRENCH
transmission jack
tubeing cutter
tubeing flare tool
tubeing bender
Utility knife
VACUUM GAUGE
Wire crimper
wheel chocks (keep cars from rolling)
GOOD KNOWLEDGEABLE FRIENDS

 

[Don&Kelly]

The last item on "Grumpvette" list is the most important for me

 

[Piet]

I agree with the last item on "Grumpvette" list

I just need GrumpVette as my friend... HEY... Nice HARMONIC BALLANCER INSTALLER... mind if I borrow that...