timing lights
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 300
Likes: 83
timing lights
havent used a timing light for over 40 years, i have a 81 vette with a HEI ignition no vacuum advance, what is a good light that wont break the bank. stupid question but also how do you hook them up, i do know how to advance and retard the timing. iam in my 80s so give me a break thanks ED
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Decades ago I had a lite weight plastic unit with just a ON/OFF button. It was too lite and would vibrate off the cars fender protector.
Then I bought a heavy, all steel dial-back from Summit. Around $49. Much better, has a replaceable wire cord. But no tach. So I had to buy that used off EBay.
You really need to know at what RPM you are at when tweaking the dizzy.
As far as hooking up: Timing lights power cords will not reach behind the drivers seat. There is however, a Positive post on the back of the ALT, (red cover)
Caution. Do not let the Red alligator clip touch both the POS bolt and the GRD washer behind it. Or 4th of July will come early. Then the NEG clip goes to any clean GRD on the engine.
And of course, induction lead to #1 plugwire.
Then I bought a heavy, all steel dial-back from Summit. Around $49. Much better, has a replaceable wire cord. But no tach. So I had to buy that used off EBay.
You really need to know at what RPM you are at when tweaking the dizzy.
As far as hooking up: Timing lights power cords will not reach behind the drivers seat. There is however, a Positive post on the back of the ALT, (red cover)
Caution. Do not let the Red alligator clip touch both the POS bolt and the GRD washer behind it. Or 4th of July will come early. Then the NEG clip goes to any clean GRD on the engine.
And of course, induction lead to #1 plugwire.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 1,229
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Quick question on dial back timing lights, If I scroll through on my digital light from 0.00 to 36.0 at some point the timing marks will line up correct?
Just trying to determine existing base timing after I change out a harmonic balancer.
TIA,
Marshal
Just trying to determine existing base timing after I change out a harmonic balancer.
TIA,
Marshal
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,145
Likes: 9,274
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
yes they will eventually line up. I have the Innova light and the parts are replaceable. It has a tach and is a dial back. They make a more expensive one that I want eventually but the middle one works well. Bonus is YOu can buy the cords seperately and they plug in. They are excessively long as well so be careful not to let them get into the belts or melt 
on the headers/ manifold
cheaper on amazon
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ino-3568
on the headers/ manifoldcheaper on amazon
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ino-3568
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Jan 25, 2021 at 10:28 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 1,229
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thank you Rescue Rogers for your reply. I figured that much but I'm fairly novice with the dial back lights.
My Craftsman Professional has a replaceable cord as well in case it gets caught where you never wanted it to. lol
Thank you,
Marshal
My Craftsman Professional has a replaceable cord as well in case it gets caught where you never wanted it to. lol
Thank you,
Marshal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
get the tach.. also pay attention to the clip on plug wire it is directional.. the rest you will play and learn..
damn thing is 11 bucks cheaper than when i bought on amazon
damn thing is 11 bucks cheaper than when i bought on amazon
INNOVA 3568 Digital Timing Light
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,166
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
I have never had a 81 corvette, just have chrome bumper one's.
Is the 81 computer controlled for advance? This would make setting the timing a little different.
I vaguely remember having to unplug a wire on my 84 Camaro to set the timing. It was computer controlled .
The OP may need to know..
As Far as Timing Lights - Garage sales are your friend. I picked up a Sears with dial back and a Snap-on for less than $20 each.
Is the 81 computer controlled for advance? This would make setting the timing a little different.
I vaguely remember having to unplug a wire on my 84 Camaro to set the timing. It was computer controlled .
The OP may need to know..
As Far as Timing Lights - Garage sales are your friend. I picked up a Sears with dial back and a Snap-on for less than $20 each.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Jan 26, 2021 at 10:33 PM.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,024
From: New Braunfels Texas
I have the Innova 3367.....I like it because it shows RPM at the touch of a button and the inductive clamp is metal.....I don't care who you are, if you do enough of this, you will melt a plastic one on the header at some point.
I also have an ancient Craftsman strobe.....this is used on MSD or CDI box ignitions as these modules do not like the dial back feature (delay).....and can give a false reading, 1 or 2 degrees....but enough for me to say no.
Jebby
I also have an ancient Craftsman strobe.....this is used on MSD or CDI box ignitions as these modules do not like the dial back feature (delay).....and can give a false reading, 1 or 2 degrees....but enough for me to say no.
Jebby
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,024
From: New Braunfels Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 107
From: S Fla
Picked mine up at Harbor Freight. my 75 is the only car I own that I can use a timing light on. I figured for the amount of time I'm going to use it H.F. was perfect. about 28.00 without coupon..