In the market for a new timing light, as my old one has 'bought the farm' I was wondering if anyone has used one of the digital lights with the built in dwell? Pros? Cons? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Dave

 

Here are some good links on timing lights.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/173877/

http://www.dragracingonline.com/tech...-lights-1.html

 

I had to replace my old Sun light a few years back.I bought the Equus 5568 Pro-Timing Light, I'd highly recommend it if you have the budget.

 

Don't remember the brand but I think I bought my dial-back timing light at Autozone for like $47 and they have a no-questions-asked replacement policy. It worked great for curving the distributor on my '61.

 

I just bought an EQUUS this year. Got it from Jegs when it was on sale. I also had them send a timing tape. After installing the timing tape and setting the timing on the car I checked against my old Sears timing light. It was right on. I have an MSD ignition but I am not using the MSD 6 or 7 box. It is a Ready to Run unit. No complaints with my unit.

Steve

 

I read thru the thread on the Chevytalk forum - what a load of crap based on my experience. These guys are saying that the dial back lights are not accurate?
I have the Craftsman dial back light (made by Actron) and it's dead on accurate. I know this because my stock points distributor was rebuilt and than set up on a Sun Distributor Machine to the specs I asked for and was confirmed afterwards by the guy that did the work. After reinstalling the distributor in my '65 my dial back light is dead on accurate to those specs. doesn't matter if it's at idle, at the "all in" total timing level, or revved up to over 5,000rpm, the light works great and is steady. It also works just fine on my ;78 with it's HEI unit.
These guys saying that dial back lights won't work on older points and HEI distributors if you use the dial back function are full of crap.
I've also had a friend over and he has also checked timing on both my cars with his own light and both his and my lights give the same exact readings, which are the same as the distributor in my '65 was set up for on the Sun Distributor Machine.
So, the Sun machine sets up the unit and now three dial back lights (the guy that rebuilt the distributor, myself, and my friend) all confirm the same readings. Hard to believe that dial back lights are all so inaccurate and inconsistent as being told on that other forum.

 

I have the Actron CP-7519 dial-back light, and it calibrates precisely the same as my neighbor's $400 Snap-On dial-back light. Most dial-back lights don't like MSD setups due to the multiple spark discharges at lower rpm's.

 

An oldy but goody.

 

I use this:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Built in tach & digital dial back, dont need a timing tape.

 

Dial back is basically essential. I can see where a tach would be nice too.

larry

 

Most dial back lights include a tach function - even my 'cheapie' does...
A vacuum gauge on these old cars is another essential

 

I guess you didn't read the whole thing as we have a MSD dial back timing light that works fine and your basing your info one timing.

I have seen many Snap On, Mac lights that after 3000 RPM they stop working or the timing marks are all over the place. What good is a timing light that won't work 5,6 or 7000 RPM

 

Thanks to all who have responded!! The collective knowledge and experience of the members of this forum is simply amazing.

I'm leaning strongly toward the Equus 5568 Pro - digital tach, digital dial back, plus it also reads dwell. Amazon has what looks to be a pretty good deal on that unit right now. Any feedback on this choice?

Once again, Thanks to All !!

Dave