What timing light do you use?
 

Tried a light from auto parts store which gave inconsistent readings so I junked it. Bought a Sears light with the adjustable timing advance knob. Last weekend the Sears light intermittently worked and didn't work (light would not light at times) which led me on a wild goose chase. What timing lights do you have success with???

I use an actron adjustable that i got at auto zone or someplace like that no problems to date.

Do you have a MSD SYSTEM?

I've got a Snap On digital tach/advance light.

http://buy1.snapon.com/products/diag...e_mt2661ap.asp

No, I do not have MSD but I do have Crane HI-6M's. Does that make a difference over stock ignition with timing lights?

nah, i use a cheapo and it works fine with my hi-6m's

I use a Snap-On digital retard light. Works fine with my MSD.

Me too. I first bought a cheapo, it never worked at all, and they would not even allow it to be returned. I borrowed a Snap-on, and it is worth the $ for its features and reliability. Its tach is awesome, along with its adv/retard function with memory

Flaming River.

TS,

MSD says to absolutely not use a "dial back" type light on thier ignitions. Apparently the multiple sparks at low rpms drive the lights crazy ? I know plenty of guys that say they use them with MSD's, but also have first hand experience where a dial back light, and a Snap On digital light were both close to 20 degrees off compared to a non dial back light :( So who is to know which one is reading correct ? I have an ancient Sun 7501 that has served me well for many years. You can still find them on E-bay for $30 or so. MSD also has thier own light and they also recommend the Sears light.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUN-I...spagenameZWDVW

Hope this helps,

Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf MD

thanks guys I have a place to start looking now.

ive never found the dial adjustable lights to be accurate w/ the hei and other ignitions with a lot of rfi. absulte repeatable results w/ non adjustable lights of many brands... even the least expensive ones.

FLUKE, The best electronic testing equipment

I just have an old ass non adjustable snap-on that was my dads that I use. I did have an actron adj. that worked well too but It was closed in the hood of a car.

MSD sells a nice, non adjustable light that is battery powered. No more power cables to get tangled up in the fan belt!! I have one and I really like it. It's especially good when trying to get timing readings while the boat is cruising and I am leaning into the engine compartment.

A several years back I bought an Innova digital timing light from.....don't laugh.....JC Whitney.
Best damn timing light I ever had. The digital advance is easily dialed back, has digital tachometer, reads voltage and whole buch more features.

Depending on what kind of distributor you are using, you may need to put it in "Base Timing Mode". You may be able to temporarily disconnect the CDI box and reconnect the stock ignition to set base timing. That's the way I like to do it.

Dave

My snapon digital timing light goes crazy and is eratic on my msd/hei efi motor,I use a cheap battery powered non dial back type like the msd one,works the best,Smitty

My Snappy has no problem, I'm pretty sure it is rated for HEI and multiple spark ignitions, as they are in almost all new cars.

I'm sure we both have the same light,fancy digitial one with tons of features,mine has never worked well on my boat motor though,works great on new trucks and cars though,Smitty

Put my Sear's timing light on all my cars over the last few days and finally figured out it is acting up and was sent off for repair. It had worked well until last Sunday when I guess it started going bad intermittently. I had a motor missing and when I hooked the timing light up to check timing the light would not blink on 1, 3, 6 plug wires which led me astray on my troubleshooting. Turns out it was a stuck float on the Holley. But, the timing light took me on a long dead end trail before dumping me off with more broken than when I started so I was pissed off at the light.

BTW, I can not read the advance marks on my balancers. Since it sounds like a non-adjustable light is more reliable, how can I mark 34 or 36 degrees on my balancer accurately to time with a non-adjustable light?

Can't really do it at home.
The spacing between degree marks are dependant on the diameter of the balancer. The larger the diameter the wider the spaces. I can't see how the degree tapes you can buy are accurate on different size balancers.
To do it accurately the balancer needs to be pulled and scribed while in a dividing head.

Ferret Instruments makes them for SnapOn. I went to Napa and bought the Ferret less than half what it was on the Snapon truck:drink:

I bought a Ferret 84 yesterday!
Haven't tried it on MSD yet, but it worked great on a Thunderbolt IV.

Does anyone know if it works on MSD?

Thats the same one I have and it works on MSD ,both my cars and the Hustler Ive use it on no problems:drink:

Thanks Rob!

:drink:

So, are you guys saying the Craftsman lights are crap? Or, are they just inaccurate with MSD type ignition?

I borrowed a friends craftsman adjustable light and a snap on adjustable light. Put both lights on the same motor and they read the same. I set the total timing at 3000 rpm, not the base timing. That should eliminate the multiple spark issue from the Crane HI-6M

I have used a sears light for 20 years the same light and it looks it . and works great. mds says to not use dial back lights as this was said before . I guess use what ever works best for who ever.

Like you said...
IMO those that run into problems with an adjustable light and MSD´s don´t set their timing at 3000+rpm.

The best kind of light when using a msd is a self powered NON-adjustable one. Snap-on,Msd and other sources sell one. There are 2 available from a company I am a dealer for if someone needs one I can get them one,one is a cheap version,the other is their "high intensity model". 115$ for the premium one,70$ for the econo one. I bought the econo one last winter and I'm actually going to use it to set my timing tommorrow,if its any good I'll post my experince with it. It uses 2 d cell batteries and you don't have to pizz around trying to find a spot to power it from your motor,Smitty

I use the proform Self powered unit. It works well and have changed the batteries only recently after apx 2 years of use.
Very durable, and the clip is so easy to use.
I was tired of playing around with battery cables etc.
I got lacerated pretty good once the wires got caught in the belts, in a tight engine compartment. This has been dropped and has an extruded aluminum housing that helps make it light and tough. BBB