Timing lights? Anyone have a preference?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Waterford MI
Timing lights? Anyone have a preference?
Started looking for a new timing light...anyone have any stories about pros/cons in their experiences? I like the new age digital ones with the RPM readouts, etc., etc., but figured that I'd see what you guys have to say.
Any recomendations? What to make more of a priority, what to avoid?
To be used on a 1968 stock (kinda) small block.
Thanks.
Any recomendations? What to make more of a priority, what to avoid?
To be used on a 1968 stock (kinda) small block.
Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
The only advice I will give you is to get one with the digital readout that will allow you to preset the timing advance number you want to see. As you get deeper into the timing issue, you will soon want to see if you have 36 degrees or more of total timing at a certain rpm. This style of timing light makes checking those adjustments simple.
I started off by buying a standard timing light. It was good for the first 6 months that I had it, and then I started reading a lot of threads on total advance, changing out the spring weights, and I could not do that with the simple timing lights. Once you go beyond 12 degrees or so and are off the timing tab, you need to get a better timing light.
just my 0.02 cents worth.
kdf
I started off by buying a standard timing light. It was good for the first 6 months that I had it, and then I started reading a lot of threads on total advance, changing out the spring weights, and I could not do that with the simple timing lights. Once you go beyond 12 degrees or so and are off the timing tab, you need to get a better timing light.
just my 0.02 cents worth.
kdf
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Originally Posted by big_G
Sears Craftsman dial-back...usually $69.00
Same as I got here but I would like to try one of the newer digital readout type. It would make setting up the timing curves much easier.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Originally Posted by big_G
Sears Craftsman dial-back...usually $69.00
Get something with a metal induction if you can.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i have the sears $ 69 dial back unit and it works very well.....i wish i had sprung for the one with a tach display though...it would make it alot easier....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by Maymyvetteliveforevr
I heard the Equus/Innova 3568 Digital Timing Light is excellent, although I don't own one. It's number 57 on my wish list.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Southeast WI
Originally Posted by glen242
Watch out for the clamp on induction (spark plug wire clamp). On the Sears, it is plastic not metal. When mine got near the headers, not touching, it melted.
Get something with a metal induction if you can.
Get something with a metal induction if you can.
This happened to me last summer and I was trying to be really careful. The proximity of the induction clamp to the exhaust manifold was enough to distort the plastic housing. I learned to work fast with the timing adjustment.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Originally Posted by proracr
I recently bought a digital rig from AutoZone for $99.95. It pretty much does everything but loosen and tighten the distributor hold-down bolt for you.
Everyone knows autozone sucks.http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...51&forum_id=26
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by 71redskin
i usually put my clamp as close to the dist. as possible rather than by the plug...learned that one at a TFB tour...
die-cast pot-metal SUN inductive without dialback ... $30 in 1978 ... timed Morris, Harley, Fiat, Chevy ... whatever. I would like to have dialback ... maybe one of these days.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Be careful of the self powered kind. The light in them is not the brightest in the world, however it is pretty good for verifying timing at night and they can also be used as a flashlight as well. In my opinion this is one of those categories where you get what you pay for.
ltlevil
ltlevil