Seeing Timing Marks and MSD Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Seeing Timing Marks and MSD Question
I don't like sticking my head close to the fan...while trying to hold the lite at just the right angle. Not fun. Any suggestions? Rather not buy a smaller lite...have 2 already, and would prefer not to remove the hood...
Also, anybody ever think that a MSD type ignition (multiple sparks at low RPM) makes the lite flash weird or skews reading the timing marks??
Also, anybody ever think that a MSD type ignition (multiple sparks at low RPM) makes the lite flash weird or skews reading the timing marks??
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Have the same issue. At very low rpm its not bad but as rpms increase marks jump around never could figure it out (think its the MSD) car runs great though
Had the same issue on the same engine when it was a 350;tore it apart at 60 mi due to some bent/broken pushrods and started over
This one (383) got the same timing chain, balancer oil pump and ign system reused, block also. Was told by a few larger names I respect to leave it be if all is wired in right, sometimes they just do that and theres nothing wrong with it. When time permits I will put an HEI in and toss the MSD system in the trash.
Had the same issue on the same engine when it was a 350;tore it apart at 60 mi due to some bent/broken pushrods and started over
This one (383) got the same timing chain, balancer oil pump and ign system reused, block also. Was told by a few larger names I respect to leave it be if all is wired in right, sometimes they just do that and theres nothing wrong with it. When time permits I will put an HEI in and toss the MSD system in the trash.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
The MSD dizzy/box I have seems to be solid, just have a problem seeing the marks!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
You would be surprised at the differences in timing lights as far as illumination goes, do you have one that is known to give good illumination? Have you thought of putting a timing tape around the damper? This can make it easier to see the marks without getting tangled up in the "works".
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Mike had the dist torn apart when new and taken into someone to get a nice curve put on it still uses the old Sun machines. Took it back out told him about the problem put new bushings etc etc Sun machine checked out perfect. Put it back in the car runs fine but timing light still does the same thing. Not spending 3xx for a msd timing light thats nuts (using a craftsman). Guess if it ran funny Id worry about it more but yes doesnt seem normal. Cam endplay is on, ckd everything who knows.
Never had an issue with an HEI or Mallory
Works fine I just dont trust these things
Never had an issue with an HEI or Mallory
Works fine I just dont trust these things
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
I don't like sticking my head close to the fan...while trying to hold the lite at just the right angle. Not fun. Any suggestions? Rather not buy a smaller lite...have 2 already, and would prefer not to remove the hood...
Also, anybody ever think that a MSD type ignition (multiple sparks at low RPM) makes the lite flash weird or skews reading the timing marks??
Also, anybody ever think that a MSD type ignition (multiple sparks at low RPM) makes the lite flash weird or skews reading the timing marks??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I have an MSD cap and module and I also get the 'scatter' when setting timing. That's about all I can add, I have not finished with this. I did see that MSD sells their own timing light that supposedly fixes this but like you don't want to buy that too. Mine runs great. I have a Craftsman light.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I don't like sticking my head close to the fan...while trying to hold the lite at just the right angle. Not fun. Any suggestions? Rather not buy a smaller lite...have 2 already, and would prefer not to remove the hood...
Also, anybody ever think that a MSD type ignition (multiple sparks at low RPM) makes the lite flash weird or skews reading the timing marks??
Also, anybody ever think that a MSD type ignition (multiple sparks at low RPM) makes the lite flash weird or skews reading the timing marks??
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Im not buying the light scatter. The MSD does use multiple sparks but usually only 2 and at low RPM like below 2000rpm. Those multisparks are so close together they should trigger the light at the same spot on the dampner marks. I use an MSD with a cheapo Accutron light (bout cheap as they get) and never seen more than one flash for the dampner mark. U can do the math using MSD spark data to figure this out but im not gonna wast my time. While the light may be triggered more than once they are so closed in time your eyes will never catch it.
Now for rpm that some digital lights display the added sparks would trigger the rpm counter to much at lower RPM and the RPM count would be incorrect - i expect but dont have the data to prove it. And its kinda nice to read RPM and advance on the same display but i would not trust the rpm reading if an MSD box is installed.
Just dont know how others are seeing this jumping around unless its due to other faults rather than mulitsparking.
Now for rpm that some digital lights display the added sparks would trigger the rpm counter to much at lower RPM and the RPM count would be incorrect - i expect but dont have the data to prove it. And its kinda nice to read RPM and advance on the same display but i would not trust the rpm reading if an MSD box is installed.
Just dont know how others are seeing this jumping around unless its due to other faults rather than mulitsparking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Oh forgot to say using white marks on a black dampner works well or i imagine black marks on an orange dampner would also. U can also use some neon paint on the marks for better effects but u really need some contrast to identify them Mike.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
It is the dial back lights that don't work right with the MSD's. Definitely didn't work with mine. Standard light works fine.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Im not buying the light scatter. The MSD does use multiple sparks but usually only 2 and at low RPM like below 2000rpm. Those multisparks are so close together they should trigger the light at the same spot on the dampner marks. I use an MSD with a cheapo Accutron light (bout cheap as they get) and never seen more than one flash for the dampner mark. U can do the math using MSD spark data to figure this out but im not gonna wast my time. While the light may be triggered more than once they are so closed in time your eyes will never catch it.
Now for rpm that some digital lights display the added sparks would trigger the rpm counter to much at lower RPM and the RPM count would be incorrect - i expect but dont have the data to prove it. And its kinda nice to read RPM and advance on the same display but i would not trust the rpm reading if an MSD box is installed.
Just dont know how others are seeing this jumping around unless its due to other faults rather than mulitsparking.
Now for rpm that some digital lights display the added sparks would trigger the rpm counter to much at lower RPM and the RPM count would be incorrect - i expect but dont have the data to prove it. And its kinda nice to read RPM and advance on the same display but i would not trust the rpm reading if an MSD box is installed.
Just dont know how others are seeing this jumping around unless its due to other faults rather than mulitsparking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I think I remember reading about MSD ignitions causing some issues with certain timing lights. You may want to Google that and see if your light might be one of them. As for seeing the mark, as someone mentioned above use a little white out on the balancer to better mark the line.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
I think I remember reading about MSD ignitions causing some issues with certain timing lights. You may want to Google that and see if your light might be one of them. As for seeing the mark, as someone mentioned above use a little white out on the balancer to better mark the line.
My lite is a Sears old dial back, but have an older one to try too.
I am glad I started this MSD/timing marks topic for discussion, and bring awareness that different lights might have different results. Next might contact MSD about this
