Carb Sync Tool Safety

[mmstingray]

I recently purchased a new mercury-type carb sync tool, and I received it yesterday. It is replacing a stupefyingly inaccurate gauge-type tool that I got from JC Whitney.

I opened it up, and it didn't really dawn on me until it was right in front of me that "wow, I am now dealing with super toxic mercury. I dunno how I feel about that."

I know a lot of people use them and swear by them, but aside from the obvious things like wearing latex gloves and not blipping the throttle, what do you use for safety measures for these? I'm almost bunched up to the point of not wanting to even use them now.

How do you store them? It's not like I can pour it back into the tiny bottle it came in when I'm done.

[mmstingray]

Oh, and how valid is the theory that ATF is just as effective as mercury?

[dps3006]

ATF does not compare to mercury in specific gravity and will not work in the gauges. Mercury has an extremely low vapor pressure and therefore will not evaporate or volitilize (at ambient temperatures). It will set in your gauges for a long time and be fine. It is dangerous when it comes in contact with your bare hands and when heated it will vaporize into fumes which are harmful as well. Your idea of wearing latex gloves while handling it is correct. Once the mercury is in your gauges you shouldn't have to mess with it again unless you somehow suck it into your carbs and engine. If you fill them and use them as per the instructions you should be fine. Just store them upright. I have a set I got from my cousin who filled them over ten years ago and recently gave them to me. I used them this summer and they worked great. I hang them up on a wall stud in my garage when I'm not using them. Don't be afraid just respect it and keep it away from kids. There are dozens of other consumer products that can and are equally harmful. Hope this helps.
Doug

[QUEEENlE]

Many years ago ..when men's hats were being fabricated ...top hats and bowlers ..etc .. very shapely hats .. mercury was used to stiffen the felt that was used to make the hats.... after many years of making hats ..touching the mercury and inhaling fumes ... hatters went mad .... hence the term .. mad as a hatter ??????????????????????????????????


http://light-science.com/mercuryfood.html

have a read ... cant help it .. it must be the science teacher in me.

..take good precautions when using the mercury sticks ..you ll be just fine.

Hugs
Q

[mmstingray]

Thanks, everyone. I'll just be super-mindful, I s'pose.

[Frenchy]

I always store my merc sticks by hanging them in plain view, out of the way... I've gotten to were I use gauges anymore though.......

[heraldhamster]

re: the different specific gravity of mercury and ATF. I've used Marvel Mystery Oil and longer vinyl tubes on a yardstick in my homemade gauges.
twice, it seemed to work very well. I think that it having a lower viscosity and weight it allows for more precise measurement on the scale. you just need a larger scale to work on, hence the yardstick instead of an 18" or 20" graduated stick. I put about 6-8" inches of MMO in each tube with a "mainfold" fabbed out of elbow connectors for vacuum lines. just make sure you install the vacuum dampeners in the brass tube end of the vinyl hose...

...jm.

[RichP]

I recently purchased a new mercury-type carb sync tool, and I received it yesterday. It is replacing a stupefyingly inaccurate gauge-type tool that I got from JC Whitney.

I opened it up, and it didn't really dawn on me until it was right in front of me that "wow, I am now dealing with super toxic mercury. I dunno how I feel about that."

I know a lot of people use them and swear by them, but aside from the obvious things like wearing latex gloves and not blipping the throttle, what do you use for safety measures for these? I'm almost bunched up to the point of not wanting to even use them now.

How do you store them? It's not like I can pour it back into the tiny bottle it came in when I'm done.

Please don't take offence but get a grip. Store it with the mercury in in gauge. Where's it going to go?

You're not going to drink the stuff. When I was a kid in the 50's we played with the stuff on our desks once in a while. We all grew up to be normal as hell.

You sound like someone who's bought into the idea foisted on us by the hazmat industry and lobby that if one looks at mercury or lead or asbestos or god knows what than they'll die a horrible death.

Use common sense is all I'm saying.

[mmstingray]

You sound like someone who's bought into the idea foisted on us by the hazmat industry and lobby that if one looks at mercury or lead or asbestos or god knows what than they'll die a horrible death

Well, I figured there had to be a reason why Motion Pro had decided to stop making theirs.

[rcmatt007]

heck, I still have some in sphgometers in my office.... just don't spill the stuff

[heraldhamster]

figured I'd better chime in here:

yeah, most everything that they've determined is really "bad" for humans is alright as long as we don't move it, jostle it, boil it, burn it, eat or drink it.

looking at it is always fine (unless you're welding or it's the sun in the sky), talking about it is okay, unless it's abortion, oil, Bush or anything re: politics & the war, using it is okay if it's still in a closed system where none ever, ever gets out into the ground, water, food or air.

rant over,

...james.

[ctysliker]

Has anyone used the Motion Pro mercury free Syncpro2 and had good results?

looking for feedback...I'm thinking about going this route but don't want to give up accuracy.

[JTGL]

Look up Morgan Carbtune. I have one and it works about 1,000,000,000 times better than any liquid filled carb sticks or gauges. I had the Motion Pro mercury sticks originally and they were junk (they enjoyed leaking). Plus, the Morgan Carbtune isn't much more expensive, and you don't have to buy extra adapters due to Motion Pro being too cheap to supply you with all the sizes you need.

[ctysliker]

Thanks for the input...I'll look it up

[Jason J]

Dont worry about the mercury. Do you worry about you front tire blowing out every time you ride down the highway?