Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Timing lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 12:41 AM
  #1  
shorerider16's Avatar
shorerider16
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
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.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 07:19 AM
  #2  
FORDF250HDXLT's Avatar
FORDF250HDXLT
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,344
Likes: 801
From: Mi'kma'ki
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...l#post12805393
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 07:24 AM
  #3  
RA31925's Avatar
RA31925
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
A standard timing light should work fine, but you're going to choke when you see how much that Ferret adapter costs.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 07:28 AM
  #4  
FORDF250HDXLT's Avatar
FORDF250HDXLT
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,344
Likes: 801
From: Mi'kma'ki
it must have built in timing advance.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 10:39 AM
  #5  
akamacgyver's Avatar
akamacgyver
Clueless spectator!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 6
From: Denver, CO
Club FTE Silver Member

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.

you're going to choke when you see how much that Ferret adapter costs
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.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
RA31925's Avatar
RA31925
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by akamacgyver

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.
Huh. I guess you've got a point. I just hate buying expensive tools that only get used (probably) once.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 04:57 PM
  #7  
FORDF250HDXLT's Avatar
FORDF250HDXLT
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,344
Likes: 801
From: Mi'kma'ki
Originally Posted by flainn
Huh. I guess you've got a point. I just hate buying expensive tools that only get used (probably) once.
i have timed my engine several times now in approx 50k miles.
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.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 05:16 PM
  #8  
shorerider16's Avatar
shorerider16
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
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?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 06:34 PM
  #9  
FORDF250HDXLT's Avatar
FORDF250HDXLT
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,344
Likes: 801
From: Mi'kma'ki
Ferret Instruments V765-01 - Diesel Injection Detector wIth 1/4 inch clamp
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2013 | 09:25 PM
  #10  
akamacgyver's Avatar
akamacgyver
Clueless spectator!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 6
From: Denver, CO
Club FTE Silver Member

Ferret Instruments V765-01 - Diesel Injection Detector wIth 1/4 inch clamp
Yup, go with the 1/4 clamp, and it is essential to strip an area no more than 4" away from the injector completely clean of paint for accurate readings. I even went as far as to get a #1 line from a van, so I could do away with the timing adapter on my 94, but I have not installed it yet. I've been too busy with the new house.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 12:28 AM
  #11  
shorerider16's Avatar
shorerider16
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Agassiz, BC Canada
Thanks to you guys again.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kla94
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
5
Aug 4, 2013 11:51 PM
riverguideguy
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Apr 14, 2013 01:12 PM
turnkyle
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 12, 2012 08:44 AM
websthes
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Aug 5, 2005 12:58 PM
cjben
Electrical Systems/Wiring
2
Jun 3, 2005 04:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:26 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE