I tried to time my car and the timing light will not work. I have new shielded wires, plugs are new and gapped at .35 as they should be. I never could get the timing light to work on the old wires either ,but, I figured that was because they were 36 years old. I put the timing light on my Escalade and it works fine. I've tried putting the wire clamp on the bare part of the wire and no luck.  Also, I tried timing it with my vacuum guage like I've seen suggested, but, I can't seem to nail it. Almost right, but, not right. Any Ideas?

Get yourself a normal sparkplug wire to bypass #1 Cyl for the timing

My thought exactly...

Yup I agree with the wire. Make sure your getting a good possitive and ground. Works on one car, should work on the other. my7T12009-06-04 07:31:42

I had thought of that also, and, would have already tried it if I'd had an extra wire. I was just thinking there must be some trick to it other that that. Thanks All. You're GREAT!!!

I just clip the pickup on the are at the end of the wire past the shielding.  You can almost always get to it under the distributor shield.

Larry

I tried that Larry and it didn't work. I also tried a regular wire and my timing light wouldn't work on it either. The timing light does work on the Caddy. I'll have to borrow a timing light and see if it's a timing light thing or what.

Where are you connecting the power and ground connectors for the light? I use the alternator for power, and engine block for ground...

I was using a remote battery. Used that same battery on the caddy and it worked. I'll try it the way you suggested.

remember though that a timing light can only tell you what your timing is... not what it should be.