timing light
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
timing light
hey gents i got a timing light on ebay awhile back and i only used it a few times to set my base timing. it has the dial back **** on the gun for setting total timing but i dont have the instructions for this gun and have no clue how the dial back works. any ideas how this thing works? thanx
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Those dial back lights with built in retard/advance feature, particularly the cheaper ones, are notorious for being inaccurate, anywhere from 2-10 degrees inaccurate!
Also, they won't work with MSD ignitions which iirc your truck has.
Use five different dial back lights and I bet you get five different readings.
Just use some timing tape, a tach, and an "old school" fixed timing light to check/set total.
Also, they won't work with MSD ignitions which iirc your truck has.
Use five different dial back lights and I bet you get five different readings.
Just use some timing tape, a tach, and an "old school" fixed timing light to check/set total.
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Montgomery, IL
riverguideguy, with a dial-back light, and the engine at 3000rpm, turn the dial clockwise and you'll see the timing mark on the balancer "retard" and move closer and closer to the 0-degree mark on the timing tab. Keep turning the dial until the timing mark lines up with the 0-degree mark, check to see how many degrees you've dialed in on the light, and that's your total timing. Easy!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Those old Sears timing lights are some of the best, I still use an 80's era Sears/Craftsman timing light (inductive) works like a charm.
::: DRO ::: Tech Section - In Tune with the Times - 10/7/05
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
That's old old school
Those old Sears timing lights are some of the best, I still use an 80's era Sears/Craftsman timing light (inductive) works like a charm.
::: DRO ::: Tech Section - In Tune with the Times - 10/7/05
Those old Sears timing lights are some of the best, I still use an 80's era Sears/Craftsman timing light (inductive) works like a charm.
::: DRO ::: Tech Section - In Tune with the Times - 10/7/05
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
Those dial back lights with built in retard/advance feature, particularly the cheaper ones, are notorious for being inaccurate, anywhere from 2-10 degrees inaccurate!
Also, they won't work with MSD ignitions which iirc your truck has.
Use five different dial back lights and I bet you get five different readings.
Just use some timing tape, a tach, and an "old school" fixed timing light to check/set total.
Also, they won't work with MSD ignitions which iirc your truck has.
Use five different dial back lights and I bet you get five different readings.
Just use some timing tape, a tach, and an "old school" fixed timing light to check/set total.
Agreed!
Those new fangled dial-a-degree lights have too many moving parts for me...
Just use your "real" (read old school) light, read the degrees at the pointer at your desired RPMs....adjust advance accordingly, and, POOF! You're done!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
riverguideguy, with a dial-back light, and the engine at 3000rpm, turn the dial clockwise and you'll see the timing mark on the balancer "retard" and move closer and closer to the 0-degree mark on the timing tab. Keep turning the dial until the timing mark lines up with the 0-degree mark, check to see how many degrees you've dialed in on the light, and that's your total timing. Easy!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
That's correct, you should be able to set base timing when the light is set to zero and/or the dial back **** is turned off.
But once you set the dial back **** to 32-38 degrees to check/set total timing and rev the motor to 2500-3000 rpm the multiple spark discharge i.e. MSD will "confuse" the light and you'll never get an accurate reading.
But once you set the dial back **** to 32-38 degrees to check/set total timing and rev the motor to 2500-3000 rpm the multiple spark discharge i.e. MSD will "confuse" the light and you'll never get an accurate reading.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
montana you were right. when i tried to check total timing all the light did was jump all over the place. didnt matter where i set the dial back i couldnt read it. look like it jumped from 25 to 45 but was hard to tell it was so fast. anyone want to buy a timing gun haha 
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
With a conventional timing light there are no problems, the problems arise when a dial back light is used, MSD's own website says not to use them.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
119er
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
5
Aug 7, 2013 06:58 PM
Gr8ride
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
3
Jan 28, 2008 06:23 PM
Monarchfootbal77
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
3
Feb 28, 2007 08:10 PM
mshumack
Performance & General Engine Building
5
Sep 19, 2002 02:44 AM