Looking to buy a timing light

[Scramblin_Jim]

I'd like to purchase a timing light. Never had one before; never used one.

Any special features to look for when buying one or are tha all the same?

Figured I'd pass the info on to the spousal unit for Christmas ideas.

Thanks in advance for the info.

Jim

[xFallen]

A tachometer is nice. Dwell can be handy. So is an advance adjustment. The latter allows you to dial in the advance and have the light figure out when to fire to set you on the mark. A basic timing light in the $30 is useful. One with features above (and a digital display) will probably run $100-$250.

Some kits used to come with remote start and maybe an auxiliary crank pointer.


Barry

[Curly]

I have used many timing lites over the years. I teach in a High School Auto shop and the kids are hard on the lights. Suprisingly, the cheaper lights hold up better. If all you are interested in is setting timing, then a $40 light with a plastic housing is all you need. Checker, auto zone, etc will have them.

Dwell will do you no good unless you have a points ignition system. Adjustable timing advance lights are slick and work well, but do you need that feature? (allows you to check the maximum advance setting at higher rpms, instead of just base timing at idle)
Some of the timing lights have removable wiring harnesses, I don't like those, the wires keep pulling out of the housing. I stay away from them.

[SavageSun4x4]

I have used many timing lites over the years. I teach in a High School Auto shop and the kids are hard on the lights. Suprisingly, the cheaper lights hold up better. If all you are interested in is setting timing, then a $40 light with a plastic housing is all you need. Checker, auto zone, etc will have them.

Dwell will do you no good unless you have a points ignition system. Adjustable timing advance lights are slick and work well, but do you need that feature? (allows you to check the maximum advance setting at higher rpms, instead of just base timing at idle)
Some of the timing lights have removable wiring harnesses, I don't like those, the wires keep pulling out of the housing. I stay away from them.
X2
I grew up on Chevy's setting the dwell was most often done by ear for the single point distributors, but the dual point models the dwell meter sure helped out if you want the engine to run smooth and at its best.

For what ever reason they seem to get broke often. Dropping them, getting wires caught up in fan blades, melting wires on the exhaust etc:D

When I got into racing not many of the chevy V8 guys used them since they are notoriously inaccurate for racing purposes. We set our timing off a warm engine as follows:
1) PULL coil wire off to keep the engine from starting.
2) Bring engine around to Top Dead Center [TDC] on the #1 piston on the combustion stroke*.
3) Put car in gear, 3rd is fine as I remember.
4) Since you have chalked your timing mark on the engine, now push on the car back and forth to move the timing mark to the amount of degrees you desired
5) Rotate the distributor slowly until the number one spark plug fires, lock down the distributor.

* Pull the #1 plug and using your finger or a screwdriver to feel as the piston comes up and the intake valve is closed. Back in those days all of us the had any kind of hi-perf engine have the valve covers off as we would be setting the valves before a race, so just watch the valve move that will tell you when you hit TDC.

For racing purposes, you would move the car so as the engine would take up the slack in the drive line. You move the car in the same direction of travel.

Just lay your spark plug with the ignition wire attached on any metal surface to ground it. Watch as you move your distributor and when it hits the place you have stopped/set you timing at the spark plug will fire.

We were always picking up some kid to work the pit to chase parts, get us a drink, hand you a tool etc. Most often its a kid who doesn't know squat but if full of great enthusiasms. Then at some point one of us would stand up and yell that we are going to set the points. This was always sure to draw a few guys from under their hoods. With much ado we launch into the procedure and ask the new kid to help us. Of course he is now grinning so hard his ears are hurting. When we get down to the point of turning the distributor, then we tell Ziggy to pick up the spark plug and look at it real close and tell us when it fires so we can set the timing. Ziggy does not realize he is fixin to become the ground for that plug.:eek:

We then turn the distributor and suddenly his eyeballs almost pop out of his head and he is trying to throw that spark plug down. It will bite you...real hard:D Ask me how I know!

[knockonit]

The last timing light i purchased was 1972, a Sun unit, had it till about 4 years ago, but some fool needed it more. Broke the window out of my 71 chev short bed to steal it, I was gonna fix the alligator clips and install a new bulb, he got a broken unit.
I was giggling at the chevy timing method, I thought it had all but been forgotten. Let try it on a new car, Ha,
I had a Texaco Station many years ago, when service meant something, anyway, we were always sending the newby for a muffler bearing or a radiator cap for a volkwagon. The guys at the auto parts store would play along and send him or her all over town, my oldest daughter caught on, after one of the guys sent her for a muffler stretcher, she went to the house and came back with my come a long, they didn't fool her anymore.
Good luck on the timing light, have no knowledge of whats even available, its good to remember when
rj

[SavageSun4x4]

The last timing light i purchased was 1972, a Sun unit, had it till about 4 years ago, but some fool needed it more. Broke the window out of my 71 chev short bed to steal it, I was gonna fix the alligator clips and install a new bulb, he got a broken unit.
I was giggling at the chevy timing method, I thought it had all but been forgotten. Let try it on a new car, Ha,
I had a Texaco Station many years ago, when service meant something, anyway, we were always sending the newby for a muffler bearing or a radiator cap for a volkwagon. The guys at the auto parts store would play along and send him or her all over town, my oldest daughter caught on, after one of the guys sent her for a muffler stretcher, she went to the house and came back with my come a long, they didn't fool her anymore.
Good luck on the timing light, have no knowledge of whats even available, its good to remember when
rj
Yes, as I remember mine was also a Sun. I am not sure what happened to that thing, seems as tho I gave it to a buddy to work on his Corvette with and its now history.