Compression testers?????
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Compression testers?????
I'm guessing someone borrowed my tester I had for years and never returned it or it's lost somewhere. 
Can you gents recommend a good tester (not Snap-on$) that you got recently. I was on Amazon and there must be 25 different ones! Sheesh, way too many choices.
Thanks ahead of time.
Can you gents recommend a good tester (not Snap-on$) that you got recently. I was on Amazon and there must be 25 different ones! Sheesh, way too many choices.
Thanks ahead of time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 494
From: Michigan
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
I'm guessing someone borrowed my tester I had for years and never returned it or it's lost somewhere.
Can you gents recommend a good tester (not Snap-on$) that you got recently. I was on Amazon and there must be 25 different ones! Sheesh, way too many choices.
Thanks ahead of time.
Can you gents recommend a good tester (not Snap-on$) that you got recently. I was on Amazon and there must be 25 different ones! Sheesh, way too many choices.
Thanks ahead of time.
If there on Amazon, 24 of the choices will be made in China. Numerous things I almost bought on Amazon and changed my mind when the fine print said " made in China" had to dig deep to find " Made in the USA". Amazon sells a lot " made in China Junk"
Last edited by CorvetteMikeB; Sep 7, 2020 at 12:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,091
Likes: 1,131
From: NEW YORK
I'm guessing someone borrowed my tester I had for years and never returned it or it's lost somewhere.
Can you gents recommend a good tester (not Snap-on$) that you got recently. I was on Amazon and there must be 25 different ones! Sheesh, way too many choices.
Thanks ahead of time.
Can you gents recommend a good tester (not Snap-on$) that you got recently. I was on Amazon and there must be 25 different ones! Sheesh, way too many choices.
Thanks ahead of time.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Well i was going to say I'm happy with the Innova one I bought a couple months ago. Can't honestly remember whether I bought it from FLAPS or Amazon or where. But I just looked and it was made in Taiwan.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 168
From: Wi
Search craigslist or facebook marketplace.
Here's an example in MI.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...58967721223429
Here's an example in MI.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...58967721223429
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 138
From: Chantilly Virginia
Search craigslist or facebook marketplace.
Here's an example in MI.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...58967721223429
Here's an example in MI.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...58967721223429
Last edited by After38Years; Sep 8, 2020 at 06:57 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
Maybe consider a leakdown tester? More expensive but will give you a lot more information.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 407
From: Bronx New York
As a weekend warrior I try to balance cost versus quality on tools. I have a HF leak down tester which is fine for my very infrequent use. Last time I used it was on a small engine. If I was a pro I'd make different decisions.
I interact with professional dealer techs and you would be surprised that some do use the value brand stuff. One said it hurts a lot less to lose a Pittsburg socket than a $40 Snap On one.
I interact with professional dealer techs and you would be surprised that some do use the value brand stuff. One said it hurts a lot less to lose a Pittsburg socket than a $40 Snap On one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 852
Likes: 113
From: Torrance California
That's true, Taiwan products are usually better than mainland China. I try to go with American made if at all possible but when their unavailable, Taiwan products are better made. Just from what I've seen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
For short term use I would borrow one from an auto parts store. Most rental business will rent them out also.
I believe mine is an Actron (from Summit racing) but I'd have to go to the garage and look. I questioned it when I last used it and took it to work where I could verify it with calibrated test equipment and it was okay. I think the cost of having it certified at a calibration shop would be more than what Summit charges for a new gauge.
Never buy anything that needs accuracy from Harbor Freight - never. I've got burned by HF torque wrenches and fuel pressure gauges. I won't touch a HF tool that needs to be accurate.
I believe mine is an Actron (from Summit racing) but I'd have to go to the garage and look. I questioned it when I last used it and took it to work where I could verify it with calibrated test equipment and it was okay. I think the cost of having it certified at a calibration shop would be more than what Summit charges for a new gauge.
Never buy anything that needs accuracy from Harbor Freight - never. I've got burned by HF torque wrenches and fuel pressure gauges. I won't touch a HF tool that needs to be accurate.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 49
From: Ventura Calif
Compression Tester
I'm interested in one that I can use on the tight quarters of a SB Midyear engine ... especially by the battery box where I can barely get a plug in/out. I tried a Harbor Freight one and no way it will work with it's heavy tube with no flex to get between battery box and plug hole. John
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
I'm interested in one that I can use on the tight quarters of a SB Midyear engine ... especially by the battery box where I can barely get a plug in/out. I tried a Harbor Freight one and no way it will work with it's heavy tube with no flex to get between battery box and plug hole. John