Dial back timing light???
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 520
Likes: 5
From: Front Range
It's all about the metal pickup clamp, I melted the induction clamps on my previous two timing lights.
This is a full-featured unit with digital dial-back advance, and it will work on two- and four-strokes:
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/epi5568-.html
This place has it for $60 less than summit.
If you want top of the line, it doesn't get much better than this.
This is a full-featured unit with digital dial-back advance, and it will work on two- and four-strokes:
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/epi5568-.html
This place has it for $60 less than summit.
If you want top of the line, it doesn't get much better than this.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Sad to admit it. I've had the $69.95 dial type Craftsmans from Sears for 5-6 years. I've used the $250 snapon and some other brand. All your getting is a digital read out and some other features. With a flip of a button the expensive ones you get engine RPM...............
I'm just checking the timing every once in a while and maybe trying a different advance curve with my MSD digital dist. I really couldn't justify the more expensive units.
I'm just checking the timing every once in a while and maybe trying a different advance curve with my MSD digital dist. I really couldn't justify the more expensive units.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Man my old one has to be about 25 years old now. It is not a dial back but my dampner is fully degreed so I don't need one. It still works like a champ. I think I paid 60 bucks back then. I have tried some of the new ones and there is more gizmos and buttons then I know what to do with.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 209
Likes: 8
From: Hollywood FL
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Man my old one has to be about 25 years old now. It is not a dial back but my dampner is fully degreed so I don't need one. It still works like a champ. I think I paid 60 bucks back then. I have tried some of the new ones and there is more gizmos and buttons then I know what to do with.
My old Craftsman light doesn't have the dial back, but it does have a metal pickup. I have a degreed balancer which makes it easy. Heck, you can degree it yourself. Just set the stock mark on the balancer at the 10 degree mark on the pointer. Then use a sharpie to carefully mark the balancer opposite the 0 degree mark. Now you have a 10 degree advance mark. Move the crank again and make 20 and 30 marks. Now you can set total timing. It's not perfect, but if you're careful you can get your timing within a degree. Ok, I've got a little Bubba in me.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Originally Posted by MonzaRedConvert
My old Craftsman light doesn't have the dial back, but it does have a metal pickup. I have a degreed balancer which makes it easy. Heck, you can degree it yourself. Just set the stock mark on the balancer at the 10 degree mark on the pointer. Then use a sharpie to carefully mark the balancer opposite the 0 degree mark. Now you have a 10 degree advance mark. Move the crank again and make 20 and 30 marks. Now you can set total timing. It's not perfect, but if you're careful you can get your timing within a degree. Ok, I've got a little Bubba in me.
Divide the measurement by 4 and you'll be able to locate 90, 180, 270 for rocker adjustments.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
I was melting the clip on part of the timing light until somebody on the forum explained to me I could put it anywhere on the sparkplug wire - it didn't have to go near the sparkplug. But I had bigblock braided wires. Another bright soul suggested I change the #1 sparkplug wire when I check the timing. Good idea! 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Valparaiso IN
Originally Posted by iNdigo
It's all about the metal pickup clamp, I melted the induction clamps on my previous two timing lights.
I clamp where the wire comes out of the distributor cap now.. Works great.
Steve
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 7
From: Johnsonville Wi
Timing lite
I use an Equis 3568. Not the one with the remote start option. They're only about $50. I've been very satisfied and compared it throughout the curve against a top of the line Snap-On. Both read the same. Yup, the Snap On is probably better quality and tougher but the Equis is on it's third year with no probs.
And yes, if your degree wheel is not marked up to 40 degrees or so, the dial back is worth it. The Equis has a pretty accurate digital tach in it also. The connector wires are long enough to be no prob. on a Vette.
Daffy
And yes, if your degree wheel is not marked up to 40 degrees or so, the dial back is worth it. The Equis has a pretty accurate digital tach in it also. The connector wires are long enough to be no prob. on a Vette.
Daffy
Last edited by Daffy2; May 16, 2006 at 08:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Daffy,
Where did you get the Equis at? Thanks for all the replies guys. my balancer is not degreed all the way around so I may go ahead and do this. I have to buy a timing light this week anyway so i wanted to make sure I spent my money wisely.
Thanks
Wade
Where did you get the Equis at? Thanks for all the replies guys. my balancer is not degreed all the way around so I may go ahead and do this. I have to buy a timing light this week anyway so i wanted to make sure I spent my money wisely.
Thanks
Wade
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Originally Posted by BlackRat
Daffy,
Where did you get the Equis at? ...Thanks
Wade
Where did you get the Equis at? ...Thanks
Wade
Good luck... GUSTO
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Originally Posted by CGGorman
Ensure that it will work with your MSD. Some do not, because of the muliple sparks.
I'm in gkull's camp: I use a cheap $69 Craftsman dial-back light, and I've verified it for accuracy. It has survived 3 years of the Tuning for Beer Tours. It's chewed up from having gone into a few engine fans, the pickup is a bit mangled from header burns, it's dinged up from airport baggage handling abuse, and it's still dead accurate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ms
Originally Posted by lars
MSD only multifires below 3000 rpm, so if you check/set total timing at 3000 rpm or above, any timing light will actually work.
I'm in gkull's camp: I use a cheap $69 Craftsman dial-back light, and I've verified it for accuracy. It has survived 3 years of the Tuning for Beer Tours. It's chewed up from having gone into a few engine fans, the pickup is a bit mangled from header burns, it's dinged up from airport baggage handling abuse, and it's still dead accurate.
I'm in gkull's camp: I use a cheap $69 Craftsman dial-back light, and I've verified it for accuracy. It has survived 3 years of the Tuning for Beer Tours. It's chewed up from having gone into a few engine fans, the pickup is a bit mangled from header burns, it's dinged up from airport baggage handling abuse, and it's still dead accurate.
Think about how much more efficient you will become at beer drinkin!!You must try the "one handed" timing light below........you can operate it, check advance, and see the rpm all with one hand, while the other never let's loose of the cold beverage in your other hand!!
Available from Summit.....works very nicely.......
EQU-3568
$109.95
Estimated Ship Date: Today
overview Warranty
Brand: Equus
Product Line: Equus Products Digital Timing Lights
Power Supply: 12 V DC
Works on Points Ignition: Yes
Works on Electronic Ignition: Yes
Works on Computer Controlled Ignition: Yes
Works on DIS Ignitions: No
Advance Analog Dial Included: No
LCD Readout: Yes
Timing Light Material: Plastic
Timing Light Finish: Black
Backlit: No
Inductive Pickup Included: Yes
Dual Display Included: Yes
Displays Advance Readout: Yes
Displays Dwell Reading: No
Displays Tachometer Reading: Yes
Displays Volt Reading: No
Quantity: Sold individually.
Timing Light, Digital, LCD Readout, ABS Housing, Swivel Head, Xenon Bulb, Detachable Leads, Each
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Originally Posted by lars
MSD only multifires below 3000 rpm, so if you check/set total timing at 3000 rpm or above, any timing light will actually work.
I'm in gkull's camp: I use a cheap $69 Craftsman dial-back light, and I've verified it for accuracy. It has survived 3 years of the Tuning for Beer Tours. It's chewed up from having gone into a few engine fans, the pickup is a bit mangled from header burns, it's dinged up from airport baggage handling abuse, and it's still dead accurate.
I'm in gkull's camp: I use a cheap $69 Craftsman dial-back light, and I've verified it for accuracy. It has survived 3 years of the Tuning for Beer Tours. It's chewed up from having gone into a few engine fans, the pickup is a bit mangled from header burns, it's dinged up from airport baggage handling abuse, and it's still dead accurate.
how do you verify a timing light for accuracy? does somebody have a procedure for this?
i also have the craftsman $69 dial back light and wouldn't mind checking it out for accuracy.
