Technical Allen Syncrograph - Model E-316HD Resto

I picked this puppy up last year with the intent of restoring it and using it to test my Ford flathead helmet distributor. Now that I have rebuilt my distributor, I’m ready to see if I can actually use it. It lights up, and the motor spins, but other than that, I have no clue as to its operational condition. Of course there is very little info available on the interweeb, but it did come with a lot of info imcluding the Service Handbook (detailed parts list) consisting of 31 pages, personal correspondance with the Allen Group dated 1988, adapter drawings, and several service instructions, as well as operating instructions. I also purchased a copy of the Operating Instruction booklet off of eBay last year. It is missing several items like the rear access cover, right side push handle, and wheel skirts from what I can determine at the moment. I hope to do a complete restotation over tbe next year, but priority is to first get it working properly, and either purchase the adapter for early Ford flathead distributors (very spendy), or fabbing up my own.

 

Missing rear access cover/opening. This is where the 6V battery goes. As there is no mention of the battery, other than a refetence to 3 flashlight batteries, I decided to purchase an automotive 6V starter battery. If not suitable, I’ll use it for my speedster. Tbe machine does come with a trickle charger.




Drawer full of misc stuff.


Parchment scroll specification sheet. Hoping I can get this scanned and reprinted. I have lots of the missing bits and pieces.

 

My little bro bought a Sun machine on an Allen cart. He recently found a Sun cart, so the Allen is probably extra now. Maybe he has some parts you need. I know there were some Allen books in the cart too. He'll probably see this thread and respond.

 

Lots of stuff here, some Allen info also.https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...rs-scopes-analyzer-distributor-thread.839016/

 

Yep, I’ve seen that thread and actually posted there last Jan after I picked it up. It is a great thread, but most info is about Sun equipment. I purchased it in Rochester, NY, and the correspondence with Allen was with a gentlemen from Buffalo, NY, so it probably spent its life in western NY.
That would be great if anyone had some spare parts I could use.

 

Vacuum pump works! Unbelievable! I pulled my thumb away from the port before it bottomed out.


Found more bits of parchment inside.


Replaced the dollar store ring terminals and a rotted section of the negative lead.

 

Can confirm the rear 120VAC receptacles work, and when switched to trickle charge mode, it works as well sending almost 2mA current. Haha!

 

I'm thinking that while the parts may be different the actual way it works is going to be the same or seriously close to the same as on a Sun and if you study the pages for a Sun you should be able to figure it out.
I've got the vacuum tester out of an old Allen tune up console that we had in the High School Auto shop that I was a student and then later taught in. It was old when I was a student from 62/65 and the vacuum tester was the only part that still worked when I took over teaching the class in 1978. The plastic piece on the console was engraved with Toppenish High School Auto Mechanics and most likely got sold when the school had the shop equipment auctioned off.

 

Ziggster , I have the flathead adapter.
It came with my machine that seems to be the twin to yours..
I'd be happy to let you borrow it.
Dave

Sent from my SM-G973U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Thanks guys for the offers of help. It is much appreciated. Cost of shipping across the border is kinda prohibative due to customs and other fees unless USPS is used. I’ll wait a bit to see what happens with the border closure.
Did a bit more work this morning. Installed the 6V battery with a mat underneath and replaced the wire for the work light and distributor ground.

 

Added a missing grommet where the power supply exits. There are two threaded holes on the back (see rust around them). Someyhing must have been there. I’m guessing it was something to loop the power cord around. Another thing to figure out.

 

Finally broke down and ordered a Ford distributor fixture for a Sun testing machine from the classifieds. Crossing my fingers the Allen works as it should because I want to test my Ford helmet distributor I rebuilt for my C59A flathead.

 

The fixture arrived yesterday, and when I installed it, I noticed the mounting arm mechanism on the Allen is not centred above the rotating spindle. Will have to investigate why…

 

Well, three years later, I’m finally ready to see if I can use this thing. Forget everything I knew about it last time I posted, so will be starting from scratch. Just plugged it in, and no lights, nothing, but the 6 VDC battery is still not connected up yet.

 

Would be nice if I could get a print shop to replicate this, but missing a bunch of data. Had some pcs saved, but not enough to complete the scroll.

 

Damn! Just noticed that the scroll is missing a bunch of data compared to the pic of it I took back on 15 Jan, 2021. Have no idea where all that paper went.
Moved the thing to my dining rm, plugged it back in and thus time noticed the main switch on the side fluid horizontally and not vertically, no wonder I got no power before. D’oh!

 

Got the dist mount arm centered over the drive wheel. Just had to loosen the Allen head bolt, and swing it over the centre.



Then noticed this little tool fits the set screw for the mechanism to clamp onto the distributor shaft. Looks like it once had a chain attached to it.

 

Battery installed. Got drive motor to spin the Ford distributor drive adapter, but it is still a bit off centre. No flashing strobe light on degree wheel, and no reading on tach. Not sure if an actual tachometer needs to be hooked up first for those to work. Will check with manual. Vacuum
Pump still works really well.

 

Going to try to disassemble it some more. Clean things up, and grease whatever looks like it could use some. Wish it wasn’t missing the battery compartment cover, top rear cover (over the lights), and the one push handle.

 

That’s older than the one I have. Looks good. Have you had to replace any of the electronic parts, capacitors or resistors? Mine is still apart waiting for inspiration…

 

Not yet, but like I said I’m just getting into it more seriously now. Replaced the battery wires, and the main 120 VAC wire/plug. Also replaced the wire to the alligator clip and strobe? light.
As mentioned, the timing lights do not light up, and the tach isn’t working, but not sure if it’s because I have no distributor hooked up. Just went into town to get some stuff, including some vacuum hose, and a “set” screw missing from the knob going to the dwell meter display.
Was thinking of picking up a generic distributor on FB marketplace to test things out, but then realized I got a couple of crab style distributors I could maybe cob together to test.
I do have a buddy who is an electronics whiz, who I’m sure could fix anything if needed, but he’s in Chicago and already promised me he could build a “black box” to get my marine tach working, but so far no cigar. lol!

 

Got some “vacuum” line and screws for the dwell meter knob. Prefer the brass as it has a slot head like the orig, but will need to turn down the heads on both to fit.

 

You probably know this, but to reduce the brass screw head size you should take material off of the underside, or you may run out of slot.

 

No, didn’t know that. Will do as you suggested. Thanks!

 

Think I found the crab style distributor from my first flathead, mixed with some helmet parts. Went through the box of parts from my second flathead, and found the coil, and coil brkt, but no crab distributor. D’oh! Must be stashed somewhere “safe”. lol!

 

Took a while to figure out how to assemble the crab distributor. It’s pretty beat up. Centre contact on the cap looks really worn as do all the contacts for the individual leads. The contacts for the points are also corroded. There is a piece of brass shim stk on the main shaft to keep the rotor in place and from wobbling around. Even the cam lobes are really worn. Still can’t find the other dist. Had a brain fart, and thought maybe it’s in my parts washer. Lots of other stuff in there I forgot about though. lol!
There is still a good wobble in the distributor adapter shaft. It’s not the shaft, but the bottom grips on the machine I think are not centred. Will have to check things out more. Not plug and play for sure…

 

The one thing that I forgot when you did the original post was that the wiring in those old machines be it Sun or Allen or ? deteririated over the years.

 

Despite the corrosion on the points, they may well clean up just fine. I use 400 or 600 grit emery paper, folded into a little strip to clean both contacts at once. I've done this on points as corroded as yours and drove on them for years.
After sanding, I clean 'em with a bit of tough paper wetted with solvent.
By the way, I've found that point files don't work worth beans, at least for me.

 

Maybe yes and maybe no. Ideally, all wires could be replaced eventually. Some have already been replaced that were brittle and cracked (main lines and battery power). Looking at them, overall, they look to be in very good shape. At least to my untrained eye.

 

I’ll work on it tonight and see if I can find any repair vids on YT. Kiddo is still moving stuff over, so a big distraction at the moment.