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Harbor Freight Vacuum Gauges

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by MisterShah, May 23, 2012.

  1. MisterShah

    MisterShah Member

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    Hello everyone, just wanted to share this info in case anyone is in the market for vacuum gauges to do a carb sync. Harbor Freight has single gauges on sale for $9.99. Seems like they will do the job. I got sick of using the bottles. Picked up a pair for $20.

    Here's the link if anyone is interested: http://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-pump-and-vacuum-tester-93547.html
     
    MisterShah, May 23, 2012
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  2. jmilliken

    jmilliken Well-Known Member

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    Sweet! I have a dirty love affair with Harbor Freight
     
    jmilliken, May 23, 2012
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  3. biggs500

    biggs500 Active Member

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    This type of gauge doesn't work well at all for syncing. These are meant to read a constant vacuum, not the pulsing kind you'll get from an engine. The needle will bounce all over. Perhaps getting gauges filled with mineral oil would work but these won't. :(
     
    biggs500, May 24, 2012
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  4. MisterShah

    MisterShah Member

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    Yeah, I found that out last night. Needles flying all over the gauge.

    They are going back.
     
    MisterShah, May 24, 2012
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  5. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    you have to "damper" them way down (you do with a CarbTune, too.) Install restrictors in your lines (small pieces of spray-straw work) and see if that doesn't smooth them out.
     
    bigfitz52, May 24, 2012
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  6. MisterShah

    MisterShah Member

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    Yeah, I made Rick's restrictors and they didn't help. After that I stuffed cloth before the restrictors on the gauge side and it smoothed them out, but it didn't appear to be an accurate reading and it didn't respond to changes.

    Oh well, the bottles work well enough til I can get a Carbtune or similar.

    Fitz, you are the valve clearance expert...can you check out my other thread?
     
    MisterShah, May 24, 2012
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