TheSamba.com :: View topic - Trouble finding a Tach-Dwell meter

Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:55 am

Hey guys i first wanted to ask the stupid question: A tach-dwell meter is different from a multi-meter right?
If it is then i'm set but i'm guessing it's not.

Next question: Where can i find a tach-dwell meter? Would it be called anything else?

Last question: What kind do you use? What ones do you like?

Info:
2000cc
009
1977 westy
FI

Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:05 am

1) Yes it is different.

2) Sears, Harbor Freight, virtually any auto parts store.

Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:49 am

Yeah, what kkirwin said.

Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:36 am

DrHobo wrote: Hey guys i first wanted to ask the stupid question: A tach-dwell meter is different from a multi-meter right?
If it is then i'm set but i'm guessing it's not.

Next question: Where can i find a tach-dwell meter? Would it be called anything else?

Last question: What kind do you use? What ones do you like?

Info:
2000cc
009
1977 westy
FI
It can also be called an Automotive Analyzer/Autoanalyzer, Automotive multimeter.

You can get one at Kragens, Autozone, Pep Boys, Sears, and other FLAPS (Favorite Local Auto Parts Store).

The ones at your FLAPS may have the Sun and Actron models which are good units for the DIY/home-backyard mechanics.

I had an Actron automotive multimeter that I bought for $50 back in late 80s and it lasted till early 2000 until I melted the backside of the multimeter after it fell off from the fender onto a HOT header.
I now have the Fluke 88 Automotive multimeter ($400) that has all kinds of multifunctions.

Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:42 pm

I have one sort of like this that works pretty well....

http://actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16155

Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:28 pm

I have a cheaper model, like:
http://actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16290
Mine is perfect.
However it's lack of "auto shut off" is bad for brainless guys like I, that will find the 9v battery dead too many times.

Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:43 pm

I have an extra i would sell for 3o bucks shipped. its never been used.

Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:20 pm

I have the Actron and it works great. Had it a year or so now. I will say that the dwell/tach I bought from Sears in 1972 is still very accurate though not quite as useful.

Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:30 pm

I've got an actron that works great... doubles as a multimeter, and all sorts of other fun stuff!

My preference is still using analog displays, as I follow a needle better than numbers... so check ebay, pawn shops, and junk stores. If you've got some time before you need it, I'd go that route. Wouldn't spend more than ten bucks. Old Snapon/Bluepoint and Craftsmans are sweet.

Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:16 pm

seeing as how your question has been answered to death, imm gonna answer it even more!

at your FLAPS odds are the guy behind the counter just works there, and isn't entirly clear on what he sells. ask for a tachometer, and then read the box to see if it has a dwell meter as well. since it sounds like your just getting into this whole fixing your car thing, first off, congrats! your gonna have a blast, and save your own bacon, and possibly some hunky/cute motorists', more then once. now to buisness, you may want to look at getting one with a voltmeter as well. a continuity tester is a real plus as well. basicly it tells you if the two probes are electrically connected, and usually beeps real loud. if it dont beep, i would keep shopping. great to check for melted wires and bad grounds. Also a good buy is a test light. go quality on this one, as i made the mistake of a 5 dollar 3 pack, only 1 of which worked out of the box, and that only lasted a few weeks. a nice flair to electrical tools is when the ends of them are aligator clips, which can be unscrewed to reveal thin pointy probes. not a must, but nice. you can compensate however by carring a paper clip and just clamping it in the jaws.

well thats plenty o rambling for me. good luck and happy hunting. try craigslist long before you pay the ridiculous retail prices. It seems 'common' tools like this are always wayyy over priced. I got a real nice vintage set w/ timing light, dwell/tach/multimeter, remote start switch, thing-a-jigger, etc, for like 15 bucks, worth every penny.

Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:32 pm

I got mine at a pawn shop for 8 dollars. Works great :D

Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:10 am

i got an old analog tach/dwell meter that looks similar to this one

but about 20-30 years older for free at the local flea market. works just fine.

Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:28 am

I have been looking for one too. I bought the cheap Cen-tech from HF (32 bucks). I hooked it up as per instructions to read engine RMP but it would only read 300 to 400 rpms. maybe i was doing something wrong but i hoped it would work because it was a very nice looking unit that read rpm, dwell, volts, amps and even Temp. I returned it yesterday. If anybody has one of these let me know if it works for you.

Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:07 pm

Are you sure you were reading the right scale? Mine (can't remember brand) says double the readings for 4 cylinders.

Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:15 pm

67jason wrote:

This is exactly what I have. Bought it at Pep Boys.

Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:26 pm

http://www.atdtools.com/showitem.php?item_id=5570

You can usually pick these up for under $100. It will do most everything you'll need

Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:30 pm

busdaddy wrote: Are you sure you were reading the right scale? Mine (can't remember brand) says double the readings for 4 cylinders.

Ya i set mine on 4 cylinder under the "Tacho" mode. it stated to place it on the coil wire to get actual RPM without having to multiply times four if you were just to place it on a spark plug wire. Kind of wierd because my dads old Sun meter you could place it on a spark plug wire and it would read actual RPM

Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:57 pm

check out your local cragslist and do a search for Snap-on or a Mac tach dwell meter, or just the brand name. You can find smoking deals on those older units and they are sturdier than the new ones available now. I have an older Mac unit thats probably from the 80's and a 70's snap -on unit that were both purchased for under $25 and work just as good as a new one.

Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:09 pm

67jason wrote: i got an old analog tach/dwell meter that looks similar to this one

but about 20-30 years older for free at the local flea market. works just fine.

I just bought that guy at autozone this week. Lists for 40, I got it for 20 because it was open.

Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:12 pm

Mine's a bit bulky, but it works.