Recommendations for testers?

[Biscuit5050]

Dash gauge shows zero oil pressure and good temp. Concern is engine is so hot after 15 min cruise across town you can't even pull the dip stick bare handed. Checked fluids today and saw a little oil in the radiator. Not sure if this is a current issue or residue from before PO's previous mods.

Anyway need a recommendation for tools to test sending units and gauges. These will see limited use so super-pro grade not needed. Like to avoid junk as well. Goal is to learn a little diagnostics for less than shop cost.

[serehill]

Lots of ways to go here tons of opinions.

My thoughts would be to obtain some repair manuals & see where you feel comfortable doing. What tools it takes to do that. Craigslist is a good tool for buying some stuff since it can be discounted from hobbyist like yourself. A lot of my stuff was obtained that way & I probably have twice as much from doing it that way all of my major things were obtained that way. Mig, plasma cutter, compressor air tools & other similar items were bought that way. Beware of buying really cheap stuff. Your only as good as your tools & the knowledge to use them. Patience & a lot of reading How to's. Googling questions & watching videos are good teachers. Good luck there's lots of very good mechanics on there I'm sure will chime in.

I bought my radiator cap tester, alternator tester. a/c vacuum pump. Voltmeter & infrared temp gun all off Craigslist.

[Strode]

Some tools you can get away with import imitations. HF, Northern Tool, Craftsman (sadly not what it used to be) for stuff like pressure testers, and infrared temp probes. Some HF stuff I swear by. I get it there 1st, if I need better, I'll upgrade.

At some point, you'll do electrical, and (I think) you'll need a digital multimeter.

A Fluke is a couple hundred investment, but is well built and will last for years and years. You can do some things with a little test light and I have those too, but I couldn't do without my Fluke. I wouldn't trust a HF meter to be accurate.

[rreed]

I've had good luck and read enough good reviews on Acctron stuff for pressure/vacuum gauges. I was telling Ristow this morning I have their compression tester still in the package on my shelf I need to throw at my crappy J-20 motor. Nicely priced as well. I've found their handheld vacuum gauge to be pretty accurate to setting my vacuum advance to match whatever step-up springs/power valve in my carbs.

Same on HF stuff as mentioned, I carry their stuff on-board so I'm not out much if I drop it, someone nearby borrows it and forgets where it came from, etc. At least for point of reference anyways if not accuracy (testing voltage loss from point A to point B). I have a pile of their $1.99 DVM's and they're w/in .1-.2 volts of each other; one was a bit off but I popped the back and tweaked the pot inside to bring it in line w/ the rest of the pile. I have a "nice" Wal-Fart one I've used for years that I rely on more for accuracy (stop laughing) and they're real close to it. Again, I use them for point of reference usually more than accuracy.

[joe]

Just my 2 cents from the electron impaired side of the peanut gallery. Though I do have a Fluke DMM bought a few years ago when I was still employed and making money (more of a "want" thing than a "need" thing). IMHO for basic 12vdc auto electric trouble shooting a Fluke is "way overkill" unless you're a daily pro or working on electronics equip where milli-micro units are critical a $10-20 DMM, $5 test light, a few assorted length jumpers, the factory TSM, and some aftermarket auto electric reference books is all you need. Spend your money on books learning how to use the equip to got, cause the most expensive mega buck tool is only as good as the operator. A Fluke DMM is excellent equip but unless you can justify the cost, for basic auto 12vdc it's like buying a home computer to balance your checkbook where a $3 calculator will do the job just fine.

[serehill]

Have to agree

I have over 5 grand in flukes & rarely use them for my hobby. I use several different DMM's that are not flukes. But when I need the best rarely I'll pull them out. I would think for the occasional use they are overkill. I luv them but that's why I don't use them that way.

[Strode]

Good opinions.

Fluke probably is overkill, I just have one, and I use it for everything. So I agree, you don't need a Fluke. I've just had back luck with my HF ones they give away. Might just be me.

[Biscuit5050]

Thanks for the replies and forgive my ignorance

I have to admit I am not up on all the abbreviations you all are throwing out there.

My dad and I but a lot of work into my first car a Junkyard Special, however, it was one or more of my uncles in the profession who would stop by with their gauges and such to diagnose, then parts might go off to the machine shop for fine work or one of my uncles wold calibrate electronics the other timing and carb. All that said this is my weakest area.

So how about a more specific starter set and a decent mid-range brand. I know that is like Ford vs. Chevy etc. This may be the one time or maybe one of a handful of times it gets used. I have a couple simple light circuit testers and that is it.

For testing sending units need a -
For testing oil and temp gauges need a -
For testing vacuum (do I even need one?) need a -

Won't be testing or setting the timing or carb - going to an old school specialist for that. Also going to go to Transmission shop for well, duh, all that is related. Again my job was taking out and putting it back in and doing gaskets.

I will be delving into wiring soon for rear window motor, lights, etc.

Thanks again. For now the wagoner is at a local shop to check master cylinder and oil pressure (big fat zero on the dash gauge).

[rreed]

For testing sensors/sending units/and yes gauges, you need a Digital Voltage Meter (DVM), also called a Digital Multi-Meter (DMM). As mentioned I keep the $1.99 Harbor Fright specials on board but you can get a "nice" one for around $10-$20 off the peg board at Wal-Fart, parts stores, Amadong, etc. Get a decent tester light while you're at it, you'll be using both a DVM and tester light in trouble shooting wiring issues.

Yes you will want a vacuum gauge. Acctron has done me well for hand-held diagnostics. About $20. If you want on-board vacuum gauge (yes, you do), I think I'm running the cheapo Sunpro ($30 I think?) but you might pony up to around $40 for a better one. Same as the cheapy DVM's I keep in the vehicle, I refer to my cheapy on-board vacuum gauge as point of reference to let met know how hard my engine is working, suddenly developed issues, etc. When I need to get accurate I pop the hood and shove my Acctron on it.

[Strode]

You'll want a vacuum hand pump that has a gauge too.

[joe]

Biscuit5050, are you noticing a reoccurring theme here?
Buy a freakin DMM and a test light. Include in your budget the factory TSM(shop manual). "Then learn how to use them". There's no plug-n gizmo dedicated testers for gauges. You need to know what the operating parameters/limits of the components are. Then use you're DMM to test each component to see it if it's in spec.
On the vac gauge thing: nice to have when you need one assuming you know what to do with it. At your stage in the game you don't "need" one yet.
As you're learning or soon will. Diagnostics is the hard part of wrenching. no cheap magic store bought yes good/no bad plug-ins. Heck even the new computer controlled rigs with the dealers $30,000 test consoles spew nothing but gibberish if the operator doesn't know what he's doing. Dues(time) must be paid. Buy the basic tools you need then learn how to use them. Up grade tools as needed.