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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:23 PM
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Default Timing lights

Where does one get an affordable battery powered timing light. They have 1 on summit for $50 but that seems extravagant for a glorified flaslight.
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:26 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

I just got a plain-jane timing light from Advanced Auto Parts for roughly $35. Maybe you chould check there.
-Joe
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:28 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (obelisk)

How do you attach it too the battery when its behind the seat, are the cables long enough?
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:32 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

I use Jumper Wires... seems to do the trick... Also don't know how old your dampener is but I just changed the one on my `81 the old one was original and like 160 degrees off of TDC on piston #1... Just forewarning.
-Joe :auto:
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:34 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (obelisk)

I use Jumper Wires... seems to do the trick... Also don't know how old your dampener is but I just changed the one on my `81 the old one was original and like 160 degrees off of TDC on piston #1... Just forewarning.
-Joe :auto:
Really :eek:
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:35 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

How do you attach it too the battery when its behind the seat, are the cables long enough?
Attach the ground wire to the frame and the positive wire to the batt cable on the starter. That's where the positive cable goes from the batt. :thumbs:


[Modified by MasterDave, 12:36 PM 1/24/2004]
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:39 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

Yeah, I remember reading somewhere that as the chevy dampers get older they tend to shift and the marks go off so when I was replacing my timing chain decided to check and sure enough if was off. I guess while I had the chain and gear lined up I could have just painted a new line on my damper just to get it timed correctly but I decided to get a new one just out of principle. I got a OEM replacement for about $60 from Autozone.
-Joe :auto:
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:40 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (obelisk)

Heh... never thought of that Dave.... cool. I need to start thinking outside the box a little more often.
-Joe :smash:
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:40 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (obelisk)

So without taking everything apart how would I find out how far off it is?
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:49 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

The alternator hot wire (+) post is just above number 1 cylinder.
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 03:49 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

what you can do is hook a ratchet up to the center bolt on your balancer to turn the crank shaft. Then pull your #1 plug and place your finger over it to feel for compression. If the mark on the balancer is close then you might be ok. But that is only a rough check. There are only two ways I can think of to find out how far you are off 100% accurate. That's to either pull your timing cover and line up the marks on your timing gears that should place the mark at 0 degrees or pull your balancer off and compare it to a new one.
-Joe :U definately not fun...
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 04:07 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (obelisk)

Well I cant do any of that in my apartment complex.
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 04:13 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (obelisk)

Guys, when you connect your timing light, instead of using the starter or jumpers to get positive, get your positive off of the rear of the alternator. Paul suggested this. As a second place, you could get the positive off of the horn relay on the drivers side fender. Then just connect the ground to the alternator casing or anything on your motor. :thumbs:
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 04:14 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

You can't turn over the engine in the parkinglot? I've done alot worse in the dorm parkinglot. Also, the finger over the sparkplug hole method can be hard when you're trying to crank over the engine at the same time. I recommend taking off the 1-3-5-7 side valvecover and watching the valve movement. I don't remember what happens right at TDC though... somebody else want to finish my thoughts?
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 04:19 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (RUXperienced)

Apartment complex rules, I wouldnt want to do anything that involved jacking the vehicle up or involved engine fluids leaking somewhere.
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 04:20 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (RUXperienced)

I think you are thinking about valves on cylinder 1 are closed and 6 is rocking.


[Modified by Guru_4_hire, 4:20 PM 1/24/2004]
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 05:59 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

look in tools-tech tips for a detailed explanation of how to do this. saw it earlier today :hurray:
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 06:09 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (brooksman9)

The idea of putting a bolt into my cylinder then turning over the engine till it hits the bolt seems kinda scary to me.
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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 06:10 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (Guru_4_hire)

hook the timing light to the back of the alt. Just pull back the rubber boot.

a timing light is going to be useless because the harmonic balancer outer ring slips. You could try to find it and remark but it would probably slip again within months.

The aftermarket parts houses like Jegs and Summit have a harmonic balancer cover that indexes everything quite well. There is no issue with slippage because this cover bolts to the inner ring that is keyed to the crank.

I bought a cheap light at autozone but haven't put the cover on the harmonic balancer yet.

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Old Jan 24, 2004 | 06:11 PM
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Default Re: Timing lights (turtlevette)

Thats a good idea
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