digital timing light
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
digital timing light
hello ,
i have a pointless distributor with an integrated coil. I don't know where i can connect the tachometer clamp from my timing light. need i hang it between the minus intake for the coil?
i have a pointless distributor with an integrated coil. I don't know where i can connect the tachometer clamp from my timing light. need i hang it between the minus intake for the coil?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The tach pickup will go to the tach terminal on the distributor. Some have a clamp that uses the "pulse" from a plug wire for the tach signal. And it makes no difference which plug wire the tach pickup is on- the timing light clamp obviously needs to be on #1 plug wire.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,877
Likes: 4,467
From: Virginia
There is no "dwell" adjustment on an HEI distributor. While you could connect it to the negative terminal of the distributor (or make a y-splice connector to do this), it won't give you any useful information, unless your specific digital timing light needs that signal to display RPM.
My Innova 5568 on my HEI distributors gets everything it needs from the power and plug #1 connection, to include RPM. The dwell connector (green) just sways in the breeze.
My Innova 5568 on my HEI distributors gets everything it needs from the power and plug #1 connection, to include RPM. The dwell connector (green) just sways in the breeze.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,365
Likes: 6,345
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
A digital timing light gets its rpm signal from the plug wire inductive clamp. Hook up the "+" and "-" power connectors, clamp the inductive pickup to the #1 or #6 plug wire, and it will work. 
Lars
Lars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
If you are referring to a separate Tach from the timing light, then it will get its signal from the tach wire on the dizzy cap just like the dash-tach does. You can buy a GM pigtail connector with about a 8" lead. Remove the dash-tach wire from the dist cap and lay it on the intake. Then insert the pigtail wire in its place.
I have a old school handheld tach with POS / NEG alligator clips.
I have a old school handheld tach with POS / NEG alligator clips.
