Best? gauge to buy and cam advancement?

[Allan Jones <ampj@tiac.net>]

Phil Payne wrote:
> No, check the cap.  It should hold 1.2 to 1.35 bar.
> The official way is with tool VW1274 with adapter VW1274/1.  It's basically
> a small hand pump with a dial on the side.

All listers and Phil,
	My belt project's on hold because I'm just waiting for more money to
become available since now I need to do a compression check. Since I
must buy one anyways, I'd like to spend some 'moula' and get a
half-decent gauge. Is there a gauge that can, with various adapters, do
everything(serious case of very wishful thinking?) like check the
coolant pressure, brake line pressure, compression, tire pressure, I'm
running out of things, etc. If not and it is best to buy a gauge devoted
to checking compression only, then what are the best values out
there??...any listers have recommendations?? How much?
	Also want to do the lifter replacement, but I would like to find out if
the vacuum booster pump is the cause of ticking, except I have
EVERYTHING APART and I would have to put it all back together before
finding out whether or not it was the vacuum booster. Unfortunately for
me it's not as easy to test for ticking. So I am wondering if I could
take advantage of my situation in any way...for example: 1)can one judge
the condition of valves and valve seals if the lifters are removed?
2)can a cam advancement be beneficial and is it required to remove the
cam to advance the cam timing? What does cam advancing do to a N/A I-5
engine, anything worth-while, or something damaging? Can I myself, a
shmuck, do it or does it require something special(tools, parts)?

	Please answer at a leisurely pace, I have plenty of time..well a day or
two anyway. THANK YOU!

Allan Jones
 '86 Commemorative Design Coupe GT