Posted 8 years ago
Otaco4me
(175 items)
Gauge used to measure spring tension on points arm in a distributor. 8 inches +/- long. Arm with hooked end hinges out from what looks to be tire gauge plunger in tube. Seems to me to be some sort of scale to weigh unknown automotive component. That is my guess, and it may be way off. Cool item that hangs out in my garage and helps me look like I know what I am doing when fixing stuff. As long as no one asks, it will be fine. I am posting as unknown and someone may chime in and solve the proper function.
****Update. Thank you CW gargoylecollector for solving this mystery and posting a link in the comments on how to use this tool. Much appreciated.****
Ok, this has me stumped and I have been around cars forever. Does it fold out so it would be one straight line? If it is pulled does the plunger pull out like a tire gauge?
If so, how is it marked? Can you determine if it's pounds, ounces, grams???
The car shown is a late 30's. United Motor Services was part of GM and became Delco.
Hey Tom. I went i brought it in for closer inspection. Arm swings down a full 180 degrees. Markings are on oz. From 0-12. It for sure is a spring loaded scale, but for what I'm not sure. Hook is strange to attach any parts that I could think of, eg. valve, tappets etc. I am not as old as this scale, and like you, I have been around engines for 50 years, still am, in a heavy truck industry. Would they need to be so precise on the old flatheads and sidevalves of the day? Must be something important enough to have a scale for. Time I got into the biz, only used scales like this for one thing.
I had flatheads forever and nothing like this. United only did GM parts after 1916??? and the car is a 38 or 39.
I'm guessing to measure tension on something, like the diaphragm in a fuel pump ???? Could be anything. I get time I'll check some of my old repair manuals.
ok, I have one in the box,let me run home and see what it is for,I can't remember!
ok I'm back!this is a tool to measure the spring tension of ignition points!I have a pair in the OG tube with instructions on how to use it,wish mine were UMS!
Awesome gargoylecollector. Thank you for what sounds like 'you dropped everything' to sort this out. Much appreciated. Thankfully I have a classic car with points in both its distributor and its fuel pump. I will have to see how this gauge works. Seems so technical just for points. Usually a feeler gauge and a bit of emery to clean up. Looking forward to trying it out. I have spare points laying around to sample and/or ruin in the process.Thank you again. Have a great day.
your welcome ,if I get some time soon I will post the instructions!
There you go. How cool!
At least I was on the right track.
I agree Tom. It is cool. Great how it was identified in a short time span. Great members in this group. Points never entered my mind, but were an essential part back in the day, and on my MG.
Thanks all for the efforts on this one. I did do a quick google search and figured out how to check the spring in question. Not sure how I often I will use it. But now if anyone sees it in my garage and asks what it is for, I can tell them a technical type story and look like I know what I am doing. ;)
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/176677-this-is-for-otaco4me