Timing lights

[Lyndon S.]

Does anybody have a recommendation for a good timing light that one can purchase for the older cars?

[Thomas H.]

Re: Timing lights

Lyndon,

I personally use a Snap On MT1261 that allows you to "dial back" the timing mark for easier reading of the advance. You can get them used on ebay for a good price sometimes.... Below is a link to one like I use.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/snap-on-digital-tach-timing-advance-light-MT1261_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43989QQihZ002QQitemZ120254838231QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Tom

[Mark L.]

Re: Timing lights

I've used a standard Craftsman (Sears) timing light for this task.

Stock engines do not need 'dial back' timing lights. They are only needed for all out performance applications (Racing)!

Consult your model year shop manual for timing instruction.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Timing lights

here is the one i use powered by flashlight batteries, just clip on the inductive pickup to the plug wire. no need to look for 12 volt power. http://www.autotools.com.au/catalogu....php/10/73/740

[Thomas H.]

Re: Timing lights

I've used a standard Craftsman (Sears) timing light for this task.

Stock engines do not need 'dial back' timing lights. They are only needed for all out performance applications (Racing)!

Consult your model year shop manual for timing instruction.

Mark,

You are right. I used to race a big block Camaro and that was the reason I bought the dial back light. I just got spoiled by it and continue to use it on stock engines. I also have a standard style light, but always reach for the dial back one.......

Tom

[Joel F.]

Re: Timing lights

I've used a standard Craftsman (Sears) timing light for this task.

Stock engines do not need 'dial back' timing lights. They are only needed for all out performance applications (Racing)!

Consult your model year shop manual for timing instruction.

I have an Actron dial back timing light that I think I paid $50 for and has served me well.

Mark, how do you set your mechanical advance without a dial back (assuming you do not have a degreed balancer)?

[Clem Z.]

Re: Timing lights

dial back timing lights were designed for electronic timing advance systems and i would be nervous using them on a points type system where the dwell varies and so does the timing. also i would NEVER use one on race engine where you check total timing advance at max RPMs. JMHO

[Joel F.]

Re: Timing lights

Thanks Clem,

I am not trying to be argumentative but using a dial back is the way I was taught (and I have learned a lot of other bad habits as well). That said, how would you set the advance without one? I'm not comfortable just going by initial timing.

Thanks,
Joel

[Clem Z.]

Re: Timing lights

Thanks Clem,

I am not trying to be argumentative but using a dial back is the way I was taught (and I have learned a lot of other bad habits as well). That said, how would you set the advance without one? I'm not comfortable just going by initial timing.

Thanks,
Joel

when i worked on engines used the total advance method, check for max advance at max RPM. degreed the damper off for total degrees.

[Joel F.]

Re: Timing lights

when i worked on engines used the total advance method, check for max advance at max RPM. degreed the damper off for total degrees.

Thanks Clem,

That is about what I figured. My balancer isn't degree'ed, but next time I have access to the balancer I'll add some timing tape just to have something else to go by.

Joel

[Duke W.]

Re: Timing lights

If you just place a mark at 30 degrees on the balancer you can use the timing tab to check total timing - add the tab reading where the 30 degree mark is to 30 degrees.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: Timing lights

If you just place a mark at 30 degrees on the balancer you can use the timing tab to check total timing - add the tab reading where the 30 degree mark is to 30 degrees.

Duke

measure the circumference of the damper and divided that number by 10 and that distance from TDC will be exactly 36 degrees

[Roger S.]

Re: Timing lights

I now use an electronic type with the engine analyzer combined with the timing light. It is by OTC, model 3369, named Stinger. It is powered form the car battery and has a plug wire clip-on transducer.

Roger

[John H.]

Re: Timing lights

I use an Actron CP-7519 dial-back light I bought about six years ago for about sixty bucks; reads exactly the same as my neighbor's $400.00 Snap-On. Works for me.