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Old Jan 12, 2010 | 01:02 PM
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Tip: timing with MSD unit

Hey guys--

If you've been having trouble setting the timing when you have an MSD unit installed, I learned a tip.

First, If you have a high energy system, and you want to use the old style timing light be prepared for a shock! I tasted the fillings in my teeth! I now wear rubber gloves and stand on a peice of wood, and sometimes the light still dances around.

Use a plain inductive light, not a digital read out or dial back type, and hook up to separate 12v source. Place the clamp as far from other wires as possible, usually right at the plug cap.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2010 | 04:13 PM
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so you got a little zap did you? sounds like fun..lol..
 
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Old Jan 12, 2010 | 06:10 PM
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I wear rubber gloves and boots just to change flashlight batteries.
 
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Old Jan 13, 2010 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by im2tall33
so you got a little zap did you? sounds like fun..lol..
Let me tell you: I have a MSD street blaster TFI coil. It bit me 4 times before I could put down the light, and the fourth time I tasted the fillings in my teeth!

Now I stand on a piece of wood, and wear rubber gloves.

Even though I hooked the light up to another car battery, and used an induction gun, with the clamp right up next to the plug, the signal is still dancing all around the v. dampner!

I know I have to go back to the insert type gun, but it scares the ... out of me!
 
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Old Jan 13, 2010 | 05:01 PM
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Makes sense. Guy on another forum installed one of those new FAST EFI throttle bodies and I believe it was hooked up to the same power source and the MSD played havoc with the computer till he figured it out.
 
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Old Jan 13, 2010 | 05:04 PM
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When I got zapped and set down the gun, my gun was still blinking a signal without even the trigger pulled!
 
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Old Jan 13, 2010 | 05:20 PM
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sounds like an exciting afternoon.. lol
 
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