Topic: Timing light recommendation
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Former Member
Send PM
Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
Several posts lately have mentioned timing lights and how to use them. I have yet to buy one but it is on my upcoming list. Ive noticed there is a great difference in price and features and really dont know what to buy. My vette, which is what I will be primarilly be using the light on is an 82 crossfire with computer control and HEI. What do the wise men here recommend to someone who is trying to fill his toolbox and learn a little about keeping his toy in good tune?
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Former Member
Send PM
Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
All you need for basic tuning is a good inductive timing light. It's not necessary to have one with timing advance built-in unless you plan on doing a lot of tuning. I'm still using the same Sun Gun timing light I bought thirty years ago and it still works great.
Look on line at Snap-On or Mac Tools web sites and look at their products and their features. Those are professional grade tools. Then you can look at less expensive units locally that have many of the same features but are designed more for the shade tree mechanic.
In the end, you want an inductive pick-up and a bright, bright light. I remember back when many of the timing lights on the market had lights you couldn't see unless you timed the car at 3AM with a blanket thrown over you to make it dark enough.
Look on line at Snap-On or Mac Tools web sites and look at their products and their features. Those are professional grade tools. Then you can look at less expensive units locally that have many of the same features but are designed more for the shade tree mechanic.
In the end, you want an inductive pick-up and a bright, bright light. I remember back when many of the timing lights on the market had lights you couldn't see unless you timed the car at 3AM with a blanket thrown over you to make it dark enough.
Former Member
Send PM
Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Gunslinger is right. One additional place to shop is Sears. I own a twenty year old Craftsman inductive light that is still going strong.
Larry
Larry

Oceanside, CA - USA
Joined: 11/19/2003
Posts: 191
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary model. Original L82 engine, 700r4 trans, edelbrock intake, thorly headers, rack&pinion steering, mono rear and front spring, MSD 6A box
Like the others I have one I have had for 30 plus years. However a couple of years ago I bought one out of one of the catalogs that has an internal power supply (D cell battery) Bright lite and you don't have to worry about conecting it to the battery or alternator.

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Just about any light you get will have some degree of error in it...
That's just the way it is, unfortunately. It's the reason the really good ones cost so much more, as they are more accurate to start with, and tend to stay that way longer.
That being said...the light I have now I've had for prolly 20 years or more, and I barely use it, except to have a "base" idea of what the timing might be. It is an adjustable advance, with a tach reading. The adjustable advance makes it so much easier, as you can "dial in" the timing you want/need on the light, and then just twist the dist. until the "0" mark on the balancer lines up with the pointer...you don't have to look for the tiny marks on the balancer for the advance.
I set the timing so the car will run, and start, regardless of what the light shows it to be. The light at this point only gives me a starting point that I can go back to if needed.
I'd say get the best one you can, and it will last as long as you need one to, and be as accurate as possible.
Set your timing using the vacuum method, use the light to see where it shows to be on the balancer, and then you'll be able to set the timing back to that setting if if ever gets moved for some reason.

That's just the way it is, unfortunately. It's the reason the really good ones cost so much more, as they are more accurate to start with, and tend to stay that way longer.
That being said...the light I have now I've had for prolly 20 years or more, and I barely use it, except to have a "base" idea of what the timing might be. It is an adjustable advance, with a tach reading. The adjustable advance makes it so much easier, as you can "dial in" the timing you want/need on the light, and then just twist the dist. until the "0" mark on the balancer lines up with the pointer...you don't have to look for the tiny marks on the balancer for the advance.

I set the timing so the car will run, and start, regardless of what the light shows it to be. The light at this point only gives me a starting point that I can go back to if needed.
I'd say get the best one you can, and it will last as long as you need one to, and be as accurate as possible.
Set your timing using the vacuum method, use the light to see where it shows to be on the balancer, and then you'll be able to set the timing back to that setting if if ever gets moved for some reason.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I have both styles in my tool box. Dial back and the fixed type. I find the dial back easier to read because of the same reasons that Joel listed. You turn the dial until the mark on the balancer lines up with the pointer and then read your timing off the back of the light. Either style will get you there. One just cost a little more. (Read Dial Back costs more.)
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)