Need help on Timing lights

[JohnMcD348]

I've been reading through a few older posts from a few years ago but haven't quite found what I'm looking for.

OK, I discovered that my old(actually my fathers) Montgomery Ward Timing Light doesn't work anymore so I need to buy another one. Looking at the ones out there now, they have way too many bells and whistles for me to know what they're used for anymore. You have Digital ones, Dial back type, etc, etc. The old MW unit that I used 20 years ago was simply a point an shoot and read your mark. That's about as complex as I get. I only have 1 vehicle now that I can even work on and need one for it( 92 Bronco 300 I6).

Can anyone send me some place that can explain these newer units and also direct me to a decent light that doesn't cost $100's of dollars. If I could get the parts to fix the old unit I would.

Thanks

 

[wakeboarder311]

i have a flaming river self powered one that cost about $50 from jegs. it works great

 

[Thedroid]

You can score a nice light off of ebay. I picked up a made in USA Cornwell with the adjustable timing for around $30 last year.

 

[Kev442]

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Grade-Xenon-Inductive-Automotive-Timing/dp/B000TE46SY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1268189684&sr=1-1

They exist. I think my 35 year old timing light is a Monkey Wards too!

 

[crewchief888]

i had an old wards Penske timing light, from back before inductive pickups.
when it quit working i got a suntune ? sunpro ? inductive light probably found it at autozone or someplace like that.

 

[JohnMcD348]

Yeah, Mine isn't inductive either. It came with a long spring the you attach between the spark plug and the cable. If the wire wasn't so old and loose inside it would still work. I kinda liked the gentle numbing jolts I would get when I leaned against the car while using it to check the timing on my old Spitfire. My Dad bought that light and a nice Penske Engine Diagnostic Analyzer back around 1977 to work on our old Mercury Comet. Now it all sits in my garage since nothing we own (except my Bronco) can use any of it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have a regular Craftsman and a dial back Craftsman. Either would work for your application. The dial back comes in handy when you are looking at total advance. The dial back type did not work well on my old Harley because it is a wasted spark ignition and the spark timing alternates between 405 and 315 degrees of crank rotation between cylinders so the dial back light cant determine the frequency to dial back on.

Chris

 

[JohnMcD348]

So what exactly is the purpose for the dial back type of timing lights? All I've ever used was that old MW unit. Now they have them with digital readouts(for what?) and I really don't know what the dials are for. Granted, I'll admit, I've never looked at one either since I was never really in a need of a new light until now. Maybe if I held one, it would be self explanatory.

I don't know. Honestly, the last time I even used one was about 20 years or more ago trying to figure out the secrets and riddles of the Lucas Electrical System.

 

[Daedalus]

The dial back just dials out the timing advance. You adjust the dial until the light flashes when the crank mark is at TDC, then you read the dial to see what the basic timing advance at idle is. It's no different than reading the advance off the crank marks, but the dial has better resolution than the marks on the crank.

 

[compman25]

I still have a Fox Valley timing light that's never been opened. Not sure how old it is.

 

[Az Scooter]

I used to have a really nice timing light. I loaned it to an employee, and it magically got stolen. At the time I was stupid, and did not make him pay for it. Still makes me angry. It was $100 back in the early 80's. It is a really good thing that I have not had a car to use it on for years, which is probably why I did not worry about it.

 

[Rickster]

I have several older used timing lights available if you're interested. No dial backs but a couple of inductive pick-up ones and a couple of spring tap ones. The old-school stuff is fine if you're using it once and while on older cars whaere you can actually get your eyes on the balancer. If you need to use it for more than that get a new one with the extras.

 

[troublemaker427]

i have a flaming river self powered one that cost about $50 from jegs. it works great

X2

 

[62thunderbird]

On older vehicles the challenge arises when the rubber on the harmonic balancers degrade permitting the outer ring (with the degree markings) to rotate out of position. This renders timing lights useless for accuracy.

There are other ways to time an older engine using a vac gauge and dwell tach. Pony carbs has a good method.

 

[Tim Cowan]

I have three old style timming lights and I hate to see them "over the hill" just like me. I guess the fractional tools will soon be obsolete.