Picked up a few Sun machines this weekend (pics)
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Picked up a few Sun machines this weekend (pics)
I have been searching for a few years now for a Sun 1115 machine but could never find one that was within driving distance from home, watched several good deals on eBay come and go due to local pickup only.
Well my luck changed this past week, got an email reply from a post I did at Garage Journal to check out a listing in Atlanta Craigslist and turns out this guy had a Sun 1120, 1160 and a Marque 8. I decided to buy the two Sun machines but as an after thought decided to get the Marque 8 for the cabinet to put my Sun distributor machine on. Committed to buy these three machines over the phone.
While at work I was looking for the link for the Sun 1120 & 1160 I came across another ad for a Sun machine and called on it and it was the Sun 1115 I had been looking for in the first place. So I committed to buy that one also.
The 1115 was pulled out a shop in 2004 and the other three have been in storage since 1982. Haven't hooked them up to the Vette yet but all four machines power up, scopes work, all cables are complete and each still has it's original owners manual along with all the accessories that come with each model. As a bonus I also scored on 2 Sun lower cabinets one is 24" wide and the other is 32" which is perfect for the Sun distributor machine. The 1120 was new in 1969, the 1160 I'm not sure about, the 1115 is mid 70's I'm guessing and the Marque I have no clue about maybe very early 60's.
Don't know that I need four tune up machines but the price was right.
Well my luck changed this past week, got an email reply from a post I did at Garage Journal to check out a listing in Atlanta Craigslist and turns out this guy had a Sun 1120, 1160 and a Marque 8. I decided to buy the two Sun machines but as an after thought decided to get the Marque 8 for the cabinet to put my Sun distributor machine on. Committed to buy these three machines over the phone.
While at work I was looking for the link for the Sun 1120 & 1160 I came across another ad for a Sun machine and called on it and it was the Sun 1115 I had been looking for in the first place. So I committed to buy that one also.
The 1115 was pulled out a shop in 2004 and the other three have been in storage since 1982. Haven't hooked them up to the Vette yet but all four machines power up, scopes work, all cables are complete and each still has it's original owners manual along with all the accessories that come with each model. As a bonus I also scored on 2 Sun lower cabinets one is 24" wide and the other is 32" which is perfect for the Sun distributor machine. The 1120 was new in 1969, the 1160 I'm not sure about, the 1115 is mid 70's I'm guessing and the Marque I have no clue about maybe very early 60's.
Don't know that I need four tune up machines but the price was right.
#2
Former Vendor
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If they all are working you'll love them. Shame they did not have a distributor machine.
I think if they did not come with the manuals you can find them on the internet. I know at one time there was a link where you could upload them in pdf format for free. I'll look at my office and see if I can find the link for you.
I have the one in the center (only I think mine may be older) and the distributor machine.
Both a great looking in our shop, they just look way too neat!
Willcox
I think if they did not come with the manuals you can find them on the internet. I know at one time there was a link where you could upload them in pdf format for free. I'll look at my office and see if I can find the link for you.
I have the one in the center (only I think mine may be older) and the distributor machine.
Both a great looking in our shop, they just look way too neat!
Willcox
#3
Tech Contributor
Congratulations!
Now that I see pictures of what you bought, you can disregard my post in your other thread, since I was thinking you had bought distributor machines.
Enjoy your new finds.
Now that I see pictures of what you bought, you can disregard my post in your other thread, since I was thinking you had bought distributor machines.
Enjoy your new finds.
#4
Drifting
mr. D, SWEET. i used an 1120 for years, if the oscilliscope works and you learn to read those spikes and squiggley lines they will tell you everything you need to know about the condition and adjustment of every component in the ignition system. no guessing.
after a while i could hook up the scope, tell the costumer to start the car, put the scope on raster and look at the pattern for 30 seconds, switch to superimposed and look for another 30 seconds and tell them to shut the car off.
then i could tell them somthing like "you're points are pitted, the dwell is off, the coil is weak and #3 and #7 plug wires are bad and you have a fouled plug in #6. oh yeah, and your dist shaft bushings are worn. (just an example, but you can tell all that and a lot more in just a minute)...
great find, have fun learning how to use it
find some old timer scope guy to show you how to read the patterns and everybody will think you are a genius......
after a while i could hook up the scope, tell the costumer to start the car, put the scope on raster and look at the pattern for 30 seconds, switch to superimposed and look for another 30 seconds and tell them to shut the car off.
then i could tell them somthing like "you're points are pitted, the dwell is off, the coil is weak and #3 and #7 plug wires are bad and you have a fouled plug in #6. oh yeah, and your dist shaft bushings are worn. (just an example, but you can tell all that and a lot more in just a minute)...
great find, have fun learning how to use it
find some old timer scope guy to show you how to read the patterns and everybody will think you are a genius......
#6
Safety Car
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2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The Marque is probally from the late 50's early 60's.
I was trained on the Sun 1120 in 1972. I owned a 1115 in the 80's and it was a very good scope.
I personally still like the Allen test machines. I used to do training for them so if you have any questions I still have some of the material I used to use.
Joe
I was trained on the Sun 1120 in 1972. I owned a 1115 in the 80's and it was a very good scope.
I personally still like the Allen test machines. I used to do training for them so if you have any questions I still have some of the material I used to use.
Joe
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Like I said, you'll love them. I just re-read you post and saw they had the manuals. . . Great find.
Here are my two that I've owned for about thirty years. The distributor machine works great for another job too! We use it to calibrate the tachometers on 77-82 cars.
Here are my two that I've owned for about thirty years. The distributor machine works great for another job too! We use it to calibrate the tachometers on 77-82 cars.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; 11-16-2008 at 10:47 PM.
#11
Advanced
Now that brings back some memories. I was the Sun representative for South Jersey / Philadelphia until I went to work for AllData about 1991. Stayed there until Snap On purchased them.
These were great scopes. I had an 1120 until 5 years ago when I gave it away to a friend when we moved to FL. Good luck with it. That is probably 30 years old! The serial number will tell you the build year.
These were great scopes. I had an 1120 until 5 years ago when I gave it away to a friend when we moved to FL. Good luck with it. That is probably 30 years old! The serial number will tell you the build year.
#12
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Really, how to you tell from the number! I'm curious how old mine are.
Willcox
Willcox
#13
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Guys, while playing around with a search engine I came upon this persons name and he says he has 25 Sun Dist. machines and parts. Mark Saunders, mdsaunders@sbcglobal.net. Just might be worth contacting. Dennis
#14
Race Director
Guys, while playing around with a search engine I came upon this persons name and he says he has 25 Sun Dist. machines and parts. Mark Saunders, mdsaunders@sbcglobal.net. Just might be worth contacting. Dennis
Mark does seem to have everything Sun Machine. If I recall correctly he used to work for Sun or something along those lines. A friend used him for getting parts for his Sun Machine. Mark was a good source of information also.
#15
Melting Slicks
In 1969 our high school added automotive shop class.T
#16
Melting Slicks
In 1969 our high school added automotive shop .The teacher was the electronics teacher.To say the least we new more then he did .We had a sun analyser and we thought that was a big thing back then for all the stuff it could do.The students taught the teacher how to use the machine.Great times those wereBob W
#17
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Another source I ran across before hearing about Mark is Bob Masters who sold me some repair manuals for the 504 and also a very nice guy. His link is http://distributortester.com/about.asp
He also services other brand equipment.
#18
Melting Slicks
My shop came with a Sun Machine that is REALLY old and HUGE, like 2x of the ones above...my son says to gut it and put a flat screen TV in place of the CRT, and put in the office!!
There is no raster, so that may be a good idea
There is no raster, so that may be a good idea
#19
Racer
Sun 1115 Master Analyzer
I have a Sun 1115 on roll around used until six years ago. I am 30 miles north of St Louis, Mo in Illinois. I can send pictures. Would like to get $300 or trade for chainsaw or firearm.
#20
Melting Slicks
Very cool for a family room or den in a car guys house....