Timing Light

[negusm]

What would be an "ok" timing light to buy?

I'm not building a race car so I don't need something super dandy...just something that will get me in the ballpark and verify where the timing is set at.

Cheap is good as I will probably use it once a year or much less.

-Mike

[mfpmax]

Anything that has an adjustable knob thinige.

I got a cheapo from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40963

[negusm]

Cool. I looked at Northern Tool too....and saw this one...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=19845&R=19845

I can check engine RPMs too....maybe I'll get a little better one.

-Mike

[mfpmax]

Yeah I was looking at the slightly cheaper version of that that you can order from some of the local parts store. I'll get one of those after I get more cash in hand. The Cheaper model doesn't have the digital display but instead has a dial. I think it was $59.

[negusm]

What does the dial do?

You point the light at the harmonic balancer and dial in the number of degrees of advance until a line shows up?

Never use done personally....

-Mike

[StangBoy]

What does the dial do?

You point the light at the harmonic balancer and dial in the number of degrees of advance until a line shows up?

Never use done personally....

-Mikei was wondering too, niether of mine have the knob.

[v8only]

good question. I've only owned two. the first was cheap one that required putting a spring between the spark plug and sensor. the other one was the next autozone model up with the inductive clamp. It's always worked great, but has no knob?

[slickshift]

What does the dial do?

It goes up to 11 man...

[Capri50]

What does the dial do?

-Mike

The dial is useful for balancers where it is difficult to read the exact timing marks. It also makes it much easier to set odd #'s, like 13, 17, and be precise about it.

For example, if you set the dial to '0', then it will read the timing like any other light. If the distributor is at 10 degree's base, then '10' will be lined up with the marker.

However, if your balancer is difficult to read (especially when you have a Vortech bracket blocking your visual path), the you could set the dial to '10', and then the balancer will read '0', which is usually much easier to read due to the larger size of the lettering and the longer line.

So you just dial in the base timing on your adjustable light, and clock the distributor till it reads '0' and your done.

edit: what I do with my Romac balancers since they are polished and difficult to read, is tape off exactly where the '0' is with making tape. Then I paint a thin black line down the center. Now when I want to adjust timing to a specific degree #, it makes it simple to see the black line and I know i'm at the desired timing.

[85stang]

The dial on mine goes up to 50 or 60. It works well for seeing total timing.

[Ricky C]

What does the dial do?

It goes up to 11 man...

Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?

[mfpmax]

What does the dial do?

It goes up to 11 man...

Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?

Cause it just wouldn't be as cool man.

[85_Capri_4v]

What does the dial do?

You point the light at the harmonic balancer and dial in the number of degrees of advance until a line shows up?

Never use done personally....

-Mike


You mark your ZERO spot on your balancer, to check basic ignition timing move the dial and say it reads 10º BTC. Plug your vac advance back in and re check it. Adjust your dial, OK now it reads 16º on the dial at idle.

Hmmm I wonder how much mechanical advance I have at 2000 RPM~ disconnect the vac advance and have someone YOU TRUST :lol: rev the engine to 2000 RPM. What the blinky and move the dial, hmmm you are at 26º. Plug the vac line back in and it bumps to 38º and you know this because YOU move the dial.

The beauty of this is that you made ONE mark on the balancer and you check it all with your timing light.

Timing lights with advance dials are the only ones I will use.

Another tech tip:

You can check the timing of number 1's buddy cylinder. One the STD 302 firing order the buddy cyl is #6 and on the HO order (which I haven't commited to memory) is the 5th in the firing order.

If you check the buddy you want it to be pretty much dead on to where number ONE is. If not start checking the distributor shaft and anything else that could cause timing to be off.

[85_Capri_4v]

What does the dial do?

It goes up to 11 man...

Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?

LOUDER? :?:

[negusm]

What does the dial do?

It goes up to 11 man...

Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?

LOUDER? :?:

Its an old joke. Spinal Tap or something if I remember right.

Thanks for the info.

-Mike