Digital timing light

[Harlow]

Alright guys, I need to find my total advance. Whats the best bang for my buck as far as some sort of timing light so I can see where I'm at once the timing mark on the pulley goes too far out. And where did you get it.

[mikepmcs]

Scott,

sears makes a very reasonable dial light.  No need for digital just get the one with the dial on the back for around $60-70.  Or.... your local parts store will carry the actron line and I do believe sears has them as well.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00921023000&vertical=Sears&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@1556792685.1178488507@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccjiaddkkmmhkdicefecemldffidfmm.0&vertical=SEARS&sid=I0093600100004900085&pid=00999438000


v/r
Mike

[Harlow]

Thanks for the help mike. How exactly does the dial timing light work?

[mikepmcs]

Very self explanatory when you get the light.  You basically dial the back to 36* or whatever and swing the dist to zero(while at full advance rpm's and bingo, you are set.

That is a very crude explanation but it is really that simple

I'll try to find my thread from way back

just disconnect that vac advance(from dist to carb) and plug it and forget about it forever.


v/r
Mike

[mikepmcs]

here is a great read.

http://www.sweptline.com/tech/engine2.html

might explain it all for ya.
still looking for you though.   

v/r
Mike

[mikepmcs]

crap I can't find it...i'm giving up tonight.  I'll try again tomorrow AM. That above thread should help though.


v/r
Mike

[Harlow]

Thanks mike

[Harlow]

I've been reading about the dial timing light. One question for you guys. How bad does it affect your initial timing, if at all? My car is pretty tempermental about initial timing (maybe all cars are?).

[supserdave]

Total timing will be dependent on the initial timing if you set it by moving the distributor. What you need to do is set your initial, (which you have) and then check your total. Hold the car at about 3000-3500 (or when the timing stops increasing), and check the timing. It would also be helpfull if you check it at 500 rpm increments from idle, to map it.

If you have to much total timing when you check, you need to either back off the initial timing, or limit the advance in the distributor. You will probably have to limit the advance in the distributor....

[Harlow]

Anyone know how much the initial timing will be affect if I use this dial back timing light to set my total?

[supserdave]

Depends on the curve of your distributor....