I borrowed an adjustable timing light, printed out Lars' timing instructions and guess what. The friggin wires to attach to the battery are too short. Obviously made for a car with the battery in the engine compartment. Can I just pull my Intrepid up next to the Vette and use its battery?
Yeah I know, I am a intellectual but I had to ask.

Stew

EDIT: I didnt really type "Intellectual", but you get the picture.


[Modified by Stewart's74, 5:38 PM 8/21/2002]

 

Use the (+) terminal on the back side of the alternator for power.

 

All you need is a 12 volt source in the engine compartment. Try the back of the alternator. I use the 12 volts at my horn relay which is very close to #1 plug. Any 12 volt source in the engine tha tyou can get power from is OK. The alternator is the easiest.

 

+ alternator
- engine :smash:

 

Which one is the POSITIVE on the Alternator?

 

Ought to have a red wire coming from it.

 

Be VERY carefull that the timing light clip DOES NOT touch the case of the altenator or you will be replacing the fuseable link...

Don't ask me how I know :mad:

 

But to answer your question, yes you could use another car's battery. However, I do suggest you use the plug wire from YOUR car...
or the timing might get real strange... :lol:

 

Jumper cables.

 

You can use any 12 volt source, you can use the hood light wire, if you have one, that's what I use since it's right there by the alternator, and # 1 spark plug, and no chance of grounding the + wire against a ground as is the case when you attempt to hook onto the alternator hot wire. Ground - should be to any engine metal bracket.

 

Mine has a black rubber cover over the terminal and has a 90 degree bend. Pull the 90 cover back and it will expose the terminal.

 

I WAS with stupid! :lol: - I used jumper cables because the instructions say, "CONNECT TIMING LIGHT TO CAR BATTERY" so that's what I did, but after reading about using the alternator on this forum, that's what I use. It's a heck of lot more convenient!! Another stupid thing that I am too stupid to think of: I have bigblock braided wires, but when i set the timing I replace the #1 wire with an unbraided rubber one. (as susggested by somebody on the forum) :) MJ

 

OK I have another question.
Can you tell I am a little nervous here?
Anyway, thanks for the tips. I will use the Hot Alternator hook up and use the lifting bracket on the manifold as the ground.
Do I start the car and then hook up the light, does it matter?
Also I am assuming that the clip that goes to the #1 wire goes "around" the wire so that the contacts on the clip touch each other?

Stew

 

FUGGEDABOUTIT.
I did it in accordance to Lars' paper.
Timing now set @ 36 degrees. :)

 

:cheers:

 

Forgive me while I get a yuck yuck out of seeing you ask the questions that I was too dumb to even ask!!! :lol:

I took my first timing light back to Sears (because it wouldnt work!!!!) and exchanged it for another one because I was clipping the thing onto the wire instead of surrounding the wire with it!! I finally figured it out! :lol:

MJ