Need timing light purchase advice please:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Need timing light purchase advice please:
Going to look at timing lights tomorrow. I've never had one so I was curious what I should look for as far as features, etc.
This will be used primarily for my '69 'Vette, so it doesn't have to be one that can handle the needs of the modern (computerized) car.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!
Regzzzzzards, mark
This will be used primarily for my '69 'Vette, so it doesn't have to be one that can handle the needs of the modern (computerized) car.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!
Regzzzzzards, mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (marky mark)
You don't need anything real fancy, but something with an advance wheel is awfully nice for checking total advance, I wonder if anyone makes the battery leads for one long enough to hook up the battery of a C3 and still have enough cable to time the car, it's kinda a pain to use the jumper cables as an extension.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: Uxbridge MA
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (marky mark)
I picked up on from Summit Racing. Its an LCD display with tach and advance dial-in. Not cheap at a now $116, but I am happy with mine...
--Andy
--Andy
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 6
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (andyg)
Thanks for the advice guys. I saw my mechanic use a timing light just to check the rpm the other day and I think he hooked it up to the engine w/o using the battery.Not sure on this though.
regards, mark
regards, mark
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (marky mark)
I hook my timing light up to the horn relay under the hood. Ground it to the alternator. Good 12 volt source and out of the way of any movement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (Gordonm)
I connect mine to the incoming 12v wire (not the output) on the alt and ground it on the engine somewhere nearby.
I use an ACTRON model CP7519.
I use an ACTRON model CP7519.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (marky mark)
Get a good digital with a tach. Makes tuning a whole lot easier!
The tach is wonderfull for setting idle speed / mixture, checking timing curves...
And yes Summit sells a great one, you'll be very happy with it
The tach is wonderfull for setting idle speed / mixture, checking timing curves...
And yes Summit sells a great one, you'll be very happy with it
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,377
Likes: 6,377
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (marky mark)
I use a Craftsman light with the adjustable advance feature. $69 at Sears, if I remember right. It doesn't have a tach in it, but I always hook up a tach/dwell when tuning, anyway.
Don't bother hooking up to the battery. Hook up the "+" side to the output lug/wire on the back of the alternator, and ground the "-" to the alternator ground. That keeps both wires together right up in the engine compartment.
Don't bother hooking up to the battery. Hook up the "+" side to the output lug/wire on the back of the alternator, and ground the "-" to the alternator ground. That keeps both wires together right up in the engine compartment.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (lars)
I too use a Craftsman. About 25 yrs. old. I've read somewhere that Craftsman inductive pickups are very acurate while other brands may have a couple of degree variability.
CAUTION: I use the "hot" off the alternator too. Be careful on clip placement. If you put it on too deep or sideways, you can short the "hot" on to the alternator casing and burn up things in a hurry. :cry
CAUTION: I use the "hot" off the alternator too. Be careful on clip placement. If you put it on too deep or sideways, you can short the "hot" on to the alternator casing and burn up things in a hurry. :cry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (marky mark)
Definately get an advance one unless you have or will soon have an MSD setup; you need a traditional light with an MSD module (or at least that's what MSD says). I have a digital tachometer on my multimeter, and it didn't work very well on my car because of the rough idle (it sampled too slow and would be all over the place). If you have a big cam then it may not be of much use at idle.
Rob
Rob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Re: Need timing light purchase advice please: (robzr)
I ordered an Innova/Equus 3568 digital advance light (same as the one that Summit sells for $116) on Monday from http://www.autotoolexpress.com/ . It cost only $94 ($100 w/shipping) and it arrived the NEXT DAY via regular UPS ground!!! Awesome service and excellent light!
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 9:12 PM 8/29/2001]
Mark
[Modified by mdsmith, 9:12 PM 8/29/2001]