Timing light?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 232
Likes: 14
Timing light?
This should bring some interesting responses. I have a Matco MTL500 Timing Light. When I have it on zero advance, the light flashes at the timing mark and 14 degrees on the tab. When I advance the light to 14, so the mark should and light should flash at zero on the tab, it jumps back and forth from zero and 14 on the tab? When I back the light to zero again, the mark and light flash at 14 on the tab? Any thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
I have read your post 9 times to make sure I am somewhat confused. The 10th time had me completely confused.
The light displays what your distributor is set at. The light does not display what the dial-back is set at.
Maybe.
And for what its worth, some lights have a hard time picking up signals from HEI systems. That's normal. I have learned to ignore an occasional jump of the blimp.
Somebody will help you soon.
The light displays what your distributor is set at. The light does not display what the dial-back is set at.
Maybe.
And for what its worth, some lights have a hard time picking up signals from HEI systems. That's normal. I have learned to ignore an occasional jump of the blimp.
Somebody will help you soon.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
get some white out and set Tdc mark at 15 degrees. Paint a mark where 0 is. Now you have a 15 mark. Move that mark to 15. Paint another mark at 0. Now you have a 15 and a 30 to go with the tdc mark. So initial is 14 and you can watch the 2 other marks as advance kicks in.
Last edited by derekderek; Jun 20, 2021 at 11:35 PM.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
As stated above.....the MSD or other multiple spark boxes are not happy with dial back delay timing lights......
If you do not have an MSD box......then try another dial back light to see if it skips around on the dial back function......
This is why a 0-60 balancer is recommended for performance builds as they would be the most likely to use one.
Jebby
If you do not have an MSD box......then try another dial back light to see if it skips around on the dial back function......
This is why a 0-60 balancer is recommended for performance builds as they would be the most likely to use one.
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; Jun 21, 2021 at 07:19 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 720
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From: Michigan
All of the above, plus:
Double-check that your spark sensing clamp is positioned on the #1 plug wire, and AWAY from all the other plug wires.
I've experienced what you described, if the clamp is leaning too close to another wire, so it's sensing 2 different sparks.
Double-check that your spark sensing clamp is positioned on the #1 plug wire, and AWAY from all the other plug wires.
I've experienced what you described, if the clamp is leaning too close to another wire, so it's sensing 2 different sparks.
