62fuelie

Years ago, Sears sold an exhaust gas analizer that would read fuel/air ratio. i had one, but it got lost in the shuffle years back. Probably loaned it to somebody...... Anyway, I've been looking for one on the web, and all I can find is the $5000 type. Sears, of course, no longer sells them. Anyone know where an affordable tester can be found? I think it would be helpful in tuning a vintage fuel injection.

L79vette

Check out this link:
http://www.bob2000.com/carb.htm

This is a cheap solution to monitoring mixture, but does require welding an O2 sensor into the exhaust.

Plasticman

I have a HeathKit version (Exhaust Gas Analyzer model CI-1080) that I built back in the 70's (HeathKits came in "kit" form, but were usually pretty good). I don't think I have used it since. I just ran across it Saturday in a box (after moving 14 years ago!).

Make an offer!

L79vette

I found five for sale on Ebay buy typing the search string "exhaust analyzer." One's a Heathkit.

Do you hook these things up and drive around with the meter in the interior, or do they only work in the driveway?

Plasticman

I remember driving around with it connected. It is really a 2 person job (one to drive, and one to read the meter and record what he is seeing).

62fuelie

The Sears model also allowed for reading the meter while driving, but I mostly used it in the driveway. Semed to give readings that were accurate, or at least what I expected them to be.

62fuelie

Does it work?

tapio

Check the newest Summit catalogue or www.summitracing.com, for example part number NRD-K7020B. You´ll need an oxygen sensor and this cheap gadget. There´re lots of other meters available, too.

Good luck.

SWCDuke

Inexpensive EG analysers usually rely on CO to determine the mixture. CO rises rapidly for richer than stoichiometric mixtures, but near or below stoichiometric there is so little CO that an enexpensive instrument will likely not provide sufficient accuracy to be useful.

Bottom line is that they may be useful for setting up idle and WOT mixtures, but not for setting up the cruise mixture.

Duke

62fuelie

Well, pooey! That's what I wuz wantn' it for. The one I used to have seemed to do pretty well on a carb, but I was mainly verifying what I already "knew" by the seat of my pants. :eek:

richscorvettes

Ed,

I still have one of the Penske "Air-Fuel Ratio/Tune Up Analyzer" units. I thought I was the only one who had bought one many years ago but I guess there was at least one more out there! I haven't used it for a few years but it worked the last time I tried it. I've only used it on carb systems but it was very close to the readings I got from our state's emissions testing. It's too bad we don't live closer to one another as you could use this one.

Snap-On might make something as I know they have emissions testers but they are likely expensive units. Maybe you can find a local mechanic that has one you could use. Good luck with your search.

Rich Lagasse

Plasticman

Yes, It works! I disagree with Duke. I found it very usefull in setting up cruising mixture, and difficult under WOT (time for stabilization under WOT is difficult before something tells you to get your foot out of the gas - unless your at Bonneville). The key to using it was to make the same run under the same conditions, and only change one thing at a time on a long and flat a road as possible (without traffic). Don't try to make direct comparisons from one day to another (take a base run each day, and then make a change that same day, and make another run exactly the same).

But I haven't done that type of thing for quite some time, since I did not know where it was! Maybe I should keep it afterall!

62fuelie

I'd hang on to it if I were you. Just as soon as you sell it, you'll decide you need it and have to pay more to get another one. I'll find one on eBay. I had tried some other search strings with no luck, but it looks like there's plenty of them out there. Thanks anyway. :D

stephen8730

Would like to make an offer of $150.00. Have a 1965 Corvette and think this would be a great means of carb. adjusting.
Thanks
Steve

Plasticman

Steve,

You are responding to a 13 year old thread!

Thanks for the offer, but I sold it years ago......

I use an Innovate LM-2 now, with a sensor bung added to the pipes just aft of the headers. I have had connection / irratic reading issues with the Innovate (that I have somewhat "cured"), so I am not necessarily recommending it. Perhaps they have a "fixed" it, since I purchased mine a few years back. I did send mine back for "repair", but it functioned the same, until I added a filter.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/

Plasticman

ohiovet

I realize this is a old thread but here is some info.
I use a Innovate LC-2.
Works fine when used in a exhaust bung and also when inserted (a little) in a tail pipe. Tried the tail pipe deal on a modified Corvette and confirmed a lean condition on one bank.
DYIAutotune.com sells them for about $220.00
A handy instrument.
Bruce B