Timing without a light
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Calverton
Timing without a light
Real nite mare, just installed my third distributor in as many days, all Cardone re manufactures .
First one: engine ran great, but would die in the heat of the day -code 14, would restart after a brief cool down, but ran poorly, was fine again in the cool morning, ran strong
second one: failed to even start the engine, Where's their quality control
third one: engine starts, runs medichor, but timing is certainly off a bit, no pinging, runs better at 45 mph than out of the whole.
Question is, can I fine time her without a light...mine has water damage, not sure that I need/want to buy another one at $80.- plus for a decent light.
...if this is really a stupid question that does not deserve an answer, I will understand 
thank's for your thoughts
First one: engine ran great, but would die in the heat of the day -code 14, would restart after a brief cool down, but ran poorly, was fine again in the cool morning, ran strong
second one: failed to even start the engine, Where's their quality control
third one: engine starts, runs medichor, but timing is certainly off a bit, no pinging, runs better at 45 mph than out of the whole.
Question is, can I fine time her without a light...mine has water damage, not sure that I need/want to buy another one at $80.- plus for a decent light.
...if this is really a stupid question that does not deserve an answer, I will understand thank's for your thoughts
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
You can set the timing with a vacuum gauge, which is quite a bit cheaper then a timing light.
I was forced to do it on mine due to the harmonic balancer has slipped. It seems to run pretty good even though, and will suffice until I can get a balancer on there. There's a link to the procedure and other info on the web.
But basically connect the gauge to a good vacuum source adjust the dizzy to max vacuum then back off a couple inches.
Vacuum Engine Timing | MILEPOSTS Garage (Tech Tips)
I was forced to do it on mine due to the harmonic balancer has slipped. It seems to run pretty good even though, and will suffice until I can get a balancer on there. There's a link to the procedure and other info on the web.
But basically connect the gauge to a good vacuum source adjust the dizzy to max vacuum then back off a couple inches.
Vacuum Engine Timing | MILEPOSTS Garage (Tech Tips)
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 441
i never use a light for mine. trial and error. #1 at TDC (comp stroke), rotor pointing to #1, advance a lil, drive, advance a lil, drive, once it starts pingin i back it off ever-so-slightly. all motors are different, especially when youre talkin SD EFI. . .each one will tolerate a different amount of timing. since its not my daily, ive always set it to run on 89 or 93, which tolerates a lil more timing for a lil more power. with all that bein said, i dont care what degree it is, i just care where it is in relation to pingin.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,771
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why? i have a timing light, but dont need to bust it out everytime i set timing. its common practice not to use one. . . . .i can understand not feeling comfortable without one, or not feeling comfortable giving the advise not to use one, but one is not necessary. even when i use one, i go through the same process pushin it to the limit anyway then backin it off a hair.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 923
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From: North Central MA
why? i have a timing light, but dont need to bust it out everytime i set timing. its common practice not to use one. . . . .i can understand not feeling comfortable without one, or not feeling comfortable giving the advise not to use one, but one is not necessary. even when i use one, i go through the same process pushing it to the limit anyway then backin it off a hair.
This read's real negative, but its not my demeanor. Not trying to flame you. Just against this practice and for a reason.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kentucky
X2 I'm with Lew on this one. I use a timing light. Granted I purchased it 20+ years ago from Sears, but it suits the purpose for what it was designed for.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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Ever seen a piston skirt shatter doing what your referring to ? I mean if your drive with the wrench ready to go, ehhh, ok... your still not doing your motor a favor letting it ping in the first place. I have lost a Chubby 350 to detonation. What your saying works, yes. But its really hack to do and Id never recommend it to anyone nor do it to my own motor. No need to push timing to the limit for the small gain you get out of it.
This read's real negative, but its not my demeanor. Not trying to flame you. Just against this practice and for a reason.
This read's real negative, but its not my demeanor. Not trying to flame you. Just against this practice and for a reason.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 923
Likes: 1
From: North Central MA
I have only had it happen and seen it happen one time.Then never let a motor ping again. As I said, chubby... it was a 87 3/4 ton carb/goodwrench 350 POS. It was pinging for some time however. Not a 10 min ordeal as timing was being set.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
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why? i have a timing light, but dont need to bust it out everytime i set timing. its common practice not to use one. . . . .i can understand not feeling comfortable without one, or not feeling comfortable giving the advise not to use one, but one is not necessary. even when i use one, i go through the same process pushin it to the limit anyway then backin it off a hair.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
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....Why don't you just replace the balancer ??
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