Adjustable Timing Light

H

HCO41

Senior Member
Seems to be a tool that most of the super tuners are using to set-up the SBC distributors for our flatheads.
For those of you that have one, what brands, features etc. have you found to be the most helpful? If I google, what is the best keyword to use to see what's available?
Thanks,
Howard

P.S. Happy holidays to all.
 
I have one and got stupid readings. I have been told that I can't use it with electronic ignition??? Any ideas? Thanks

Fourdy
 
Fourdy said:
I have one and got stupid readings. I have been told that I can't use it with electronic ignition??? Any ideas? Thanks

Fourdy
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That is odd because almost all ignitions are now electronic. Is it an old timing light?
 
I've used my Sears Craftsman inductive advance timing light for many years with no problems on 6V, 12V and electronic.
 
V8 Bob is more than likely your best answer , i have three of these (including a very expensive snap on) and the old sears /kal works the best of all of them....
 
Thanks for the input. Looks like Sears has two adjustable timing lights. One is digital (gray color), the other analog (red). Will either/both of these work on 6V PG? (Direct hook-up to PG battery in car) and can I use the same unit on my 12V NG cars/truck?
Thanks,
Howard
 
If it won't work on 6v you can use a separate 12v battery to power it. I suggest getting one that displays RPM while the strobe is on. Some don't. You want to know what advance occurs at what RPM. I had a good one I think it was Actron brand. I also suggest buying a timing tape for your size balancer/pulley. Most stock timing marks don't go far enough for full timing advance.
 
I don't loke the adjustable timing lights, because I'm too old to fiffer them out. I have a tape on the pulley and I can see just exactly hoe much advance I have. I also don't really care what the inital advance is, as long as the engine starte. The vacuum will give it enough timing to idle. disconnecting the vavuum and running the engine up to 2000 RPM and setting the distributor at 20 degs is all you need and if the dist has been set up properly, you're done. simple, now you can putz with it for your engine. If you don't have a vacuum advance, you have the wrong distributor.
 
When I had my engine on the dyno a few months ago, the Dyno operator's dial-back light would not work with solid core plug wires. We had to then use a std type.
 
I have an old sears dialback. It works with my model A flat bronze sparkplug wires or new resistor wires. Don't know about the new lights.

John
 
Like anything else there's pros and cons for many of the brands. One that looks interesting is the Innova 5568. It has the tachometer built in so I won't need a separate gauge or helper. It does require a separate 12V battery, as does all the set-backs I looked at. In addition, it requires a ground lead from neg. side of 12v battery to a good ground on the body of the car (??). Prices run all over but Amazon wins if this is my choice. I'm going to call Innova tomorrow to ask a few questions.
Anyone here, or anyone you know, have experience with the Innova light?
Thanks,
Howard
 
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I have used the cal , sears and the sun, all chrome cases , they all have bit me from time to time, I am trying to use a snapon digital with the tach and advance , I bought it a good while back and don't have the instructions, snapon says they don't make nor sell timing lights anymore. it is a nice plastic case and light weight. I see them on ebay at a reasonable price compared to what they sold for new.
Fordestes
 
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Binx said:
Okay, maybe a dumb question but why use a dial-back on an old analog ignition?

Lonnie
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Don't think the analog part has anything to do with it. A dial-back works well with a single timing mark on the pulley/damper. With a nonadjustable timing light you need several marks or timing tape to see where the advance is. You also have to "read" what is being illuminated on the pulley/damper, with a dial-back the amount of advance is displayed on the gun. It is somewhat a matter of preference, they both work.
 
Looked up the Innova 3568 and 5568. Both called for ground wire when using with 12V battery per following link (click on "does my timing light work on 6V systems?). The only thing I can think of, for the ground, is to prevent eddy currents from screwing up the electronics. I'd only bother with it if I noticed a reading that didn't look right.

http://innova.com/en-US/Product/Detail/3568

ONE MORE CONSIDERATION; Has anyone used the OTC 3367? Like most, (all?) of the others, it's also made in China. Haven't seen too many good reviews but maybe they've improved. Too bad, OTC used to be the premium source for excellent tools.
Howard
 
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