hi ...
not sure what you mean by 'engine analyzer ...
that used to mean a tach/dwell meter I believe.

you don't need a dwell meter with electronic ignition of course.
as for a tachometer...
if it's about adjusting idle rpm say ..
not really important to have I'd say.

the tools I use to tune waterboxer vanagons -
timing light,
digital voltmeter ...to read oxygen sensor output , for example.
 - and to check resistance of Temp II Sensor ...both cold and warm.
many uses.

those are the two most important ones I can think of right now.
oh ..
'to me' ..this is a very, very important tool to have ..a remote starter
switch ..
 that is more for convenience, such as when checking compression or
adjusting rocker arm screws/hyd lifters.
 and also starter circuit diagnosis.

fuel pressure gauge ..
  ultimately, you need one of those too.

oil pressure gauge some ........but you need a custom made pipe to access
the oil pressure switch location decently.

I use a timing light to check spark plug wires too.
or a little gizmo you hold against the wire to detect if the spark is
getting through the wire.

...an inductive ammeter ..I use mine about once every 5 years ...in full
time vanagon tuning and repair.

vacuum gauge ..
I use mine about once every 16 years ..if that.

the two most important ones are digital volt meter and inductive timing
light.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 3:19 PM
Subject: Engine analyzer/tach recco?

> Looking for a reasonably accurate but not expensive analog (not digital,
> I want an analog meter) engine analyzer/tach, something with a 4-cyl
> setting.
>
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel
> '84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> '74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR