Timing lights
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Agassiz, BC Canada
Timing lights
Now that the driveline work on my truck is almost wrapped up I'll be looking at putting it on the road soon. I'd like to check/adjust the timing fairly soon after to try and get as much out of the old beast as possible. Since i don't have a timing light right now I'll be looking at buying one soon, a long with a ferret adapter.
Is there anything special I should be looking for or need in a timing light for working on these engines? For those of you who check your own timing what kind of lights are you using and how do they work for you? I also see that there are three different size clamps for the ferret adapter, which size works for our IDI's?
I did a couple of searches and didnt' find much relating to this, I apologize if it's out there allready.
Is there anything special I should be looking for or need in a timing light for working on these engines? For those of you who check your own timing what kind of lights are you using and how do they work for you? I also see that there are three different size clamps for the ferret adapter, which size works for our IDI's?
I did a couple of searches and didnt' find much relating to this, I apologize if it's out there allready.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Denver, CO
My timing light (shown in the link above) isn't the highest quality, but it works GREAT, because it has the timing advance and rpm's displayed at the same time. That makes timing simple. Also get the turn buckles to make it super easy. They are available at any hardware store for around 5 bucks each.
Good luck,
Mac.
P.S. Flainn, The Feret meter is around 200 bucks and the light was about 80. Not cheap, but when you have three trucks, it doesn't take long for it to pat for itself since IF you can find someone who knows how to time these things, it costs around 100 to 150 a pop.
Good luck,
Mac.
you're going to choke when you see how much that Ferret adapter costs
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2011
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Huh. I guess you've got a point. I just hate buying expensive tools that only get used (probably) once.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
sometimes things happen unplanned.
for example (rough guestimates.for actual details you could check maintenance records in my virtual garage-click the pic in my sig and scroll way down if interested) i swapped in some reman injectors and a reman ip -both from a inventory cleanout by U-haul.due to such great prices,it would have been silly not to tune her up.i knew it needed injectors bad anyway.
so then i had to time the engine of course.then i installed a turbo and turned up the fuel.this alters timing and i had to adjust it again.inbetween i think i tried a tweak or two to see about fuel economy.then i installed a new set of injectors had to time it,then an intercooler and (wanted) to check if the denser air had any effects.was still right on,but it was nice to know.
soon i'll be swapping in a turbo cal ip,so i'll need to time it yet again.
it's very nice to have the proper tools to keep your engine in tune.there always seems to be things that come up where it's nice to adjust or simply just check it.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Agassiz, BC Canada
Thank you for all the help so far. 
I noticed on Tool Discounter's website they offer ferret meters with three different size clamps. I threw a micrometer on one of my injection lines and came up with 0.2532" or 6.431mm. I rubbed the line with steel wool, but there was still paint on it. Since they offer a 1/4" clamp as well as a 6.5mm clamp I was just wondering which would be the right one?
I noticed on Tool Discounter's website they offer ferret meters with three different size clamps. I threw a micrometer on one of my injection lines and came up with 0.2532" or 6.431mm. I rubbed the line with steel wool, but there was still paint on it. Since they offer a 1/4" clamp as well as a 6.5mm clamp I was just wondering which would be the right one?
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