Thinking of buying a Sun machine

[austinsailor]

I'm thinking of buying a Sun distributor machine, one of the ones they used to use to set up distributors back when our cars were new.

What brought this to a head is problems with my Desoto Airflow. Advance seems messed up, and even if I mess with it, I'm not sure how to easily tell if it's correct. With half a dozen old points type vehicles it seems like a good thing to have around.

Anyone have any thoughts on them? Something better to look for or to avoid? Anyone know where one is for sale at a reasonable price?

[Dave72dt]

Sun is as good as they come. Get good on it and find parts for rebuilding distributors and vacuum diaphragms and you could easily set up a side business. Or, there's a guy in Indianapolis that specializes in distributors and magnetos that you could send yours to. No, don't know of any for sale. They do come up occasionally for sale or you might find one in the back room of a dealership collecting dust.

[casper50]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR4.TRC0.A0.H0.Xsun+distrib&_nkw=sun+distributor+tester&_sacat=0

 

there you go.

[austinsailor]

I did see the ones on Ebay, most too high a price, or too far away (I know Tim, what does distance have to do with it? Answer - That only applies to cars!) and also found some on Craigslist. Baring any new information from you guys, I'll probably buy the first  one that isn't too far, price is reasonable ($500 or so) and in reasonably good shape.  There are different models, which may just have to do with year made,  but there might be good features I should look for that I wouldn't think of.

 

The better armed I am with info the less dangerous I'll be.

Edited December 31, 2014 by austinsailor

[Don Coatney]

 I found one at a swap meet a few years ago at a reasonable price. I still have regrets that I did not buy it. I found another a few years later but the owner really liked it and the price was way too high for my taste. They are getting harder to come by these days.

[Young Ed]

 I found one at a swap meet a few years ago at a reasonable price. I still have regrets that I did not buy it. I found another a few years later but the owner really liked it and the price was way too high for my taste. They are getting harder to come by these days.

A friend of my neighbor Jim offered me his extra for free about 5 years ago. I regret saying I didn't have the room.

[Don Coatney]

Young Ed, on 31 Dec 2014 - 8:22 PM, said:

A friend of my neighbor Jim offered me his extra for free about 5 years ago. I regret saying I didn't have the room.

Would make an excellent night stand in Leo's room.