I just recd from my Dad a 1970 Chev C10 PU. It has a Chev 350 that is built up with a cam, headers, mallory ignition, ect. Very show quality truck. I have been out of the hot rod game for awhile. Need recommendations on a couple of timing lights to consider. Digital or induction style??
Timing Light suggestions
- Thread starter Poltax
- Start date
Pics required if you are describing a nice classic. It's the rules 
But before the timing light get some tools to verify TDC and mark balancer or adjust the indicator accordingly.
Otherwise take the readings with a grain of salt and any recommended settings if not verified 0* first.
I have induction, another older one with advance dial and a digital.
I do use the digital the most but I hate the oval head on it. Makes it harder to get into tight places. It's Innova brand.
Definitely get a light that Advance can be dialed into light. So the Zero is all you need to see.
But before the timing light get some tools to verify TDC and mark balancer or adjust the indicator accordingly.
Otherwise take the readings with a grain of salt and any recommended settings if not verified 0* first.
I have induction, another older one with advance dial and a digital.
I do use the digital the most but I hate the oval head on it. Makes it harder to get into tight places. It's Innova brand.
Definitely get a light that Advance can be dialed into light. So the Zero is all you need to see.
Dumber than lumber
Well-known member
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- Dec 19, 2015
- Messages
- 1,872
I looked at the pics. Very nice, but i guess you won’t haul lumber and bags of cement with it.
You ****!
jbfsr
Well-known member
Very Nice.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
nice except those seats?
What's wrong with the seats ?
What do your seats look like in your collector car ?
OP, the Truck is very sharp.
I have an old Craftsman Induction Timing light for my collector car.
Thanks for the pictures.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Firebrick.....here is more for you..... HAHA.......1970 Chev C10. Front end is 1968, bed is 1980. The truck does not match at all. But, turned out pretty good. It has won awards at Cache Valley Cruise, Emmett Cruise, Boise Cruise, and several others.
I was looking for info on timing lights. Build what you like and enjoy it. That is what car stuff is all about.
And the snowmobiles I have are all hacked together as well. Polaris chassis with Rotax motors, custom suspensions ect. Then the tunnels are all polished with custom made trailing arms. Not a single year that makes any sense except for the performance......and maybe a turbo thrown in as well.
I was looking for info on timing lights. Build what you like and enjoy it. That is what car stuff is all about.
And the snowmobiles I have are all hacked together as well. Polaris chassis with Rotax motors, custom suspensions ect. Then the tunnels are all polished with custom made trailing arms. Not a single year that makes any sense except for the performance......and maybe a turbo thrown in as well.
Nothing wrong with the seats, one look at the bed says there's no era to match and when a vehicle is custom anything goes.
As for timing light I have a cheap one I got for about $20 20+ years ago and would do that again. Or better yet try to find a nice used one. Dial back lights are handier but not always accurate and if that's msd ignition it has digital lights don't always work that well with it.
As for timing light I have a cheap one I got for about $20 20+ years ago and would do that again. Or better yet try to find a nice used one. Dial back lights are handier but not always accurate and if that's msd ignition it has digital lights don't always work that well with it.
That's definitely an 88-98 stepside bed
I would look for an old chrome Sun or Craftsman timing light personally. They seem to be everywhere, they’re cheap, and they’re reliable. And just put MSD timing tape or something similar on the balancer to set total timing. I have not heard many good things about the dial back lights and why not keep it simple?
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you don't want an adjustable light maybe the battery powered lights will be ok if not look at EBAY for a older tough as nails light as the new ones are fairly cheap in many ways.
CMcAllister
Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2008
- Messages
- 24
The old chrome, non-adjustable Sears/Penske/Craftsman induction lights, lights sold by MSD, or the old Ferret non-adjustable lights are all good to go. MSD ignitions don't like the dial back lights.
They are OK for setting base at idle, not so good for setting total at higher RPMs. The electronics lag.
Either way, a verified, degreed damper is needed.
If it's just a mild, street driven deal, just be conservative with the timing and keep it out of detonation.
They are OK for setting base at idle, not so good for setting total at higher RPMs. The electronics lag.
Either way, a verified, degreed damper is needed.
If it's just a mild, street driven deal, just be conservative with the timing and keep it out of detonation.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Nice job on the truck. I worked the Cache Valley Cruise-In several years in a row in the 1990s. Fabulous show.
Best timing light we ever sold was the T-64 Niehoff - you could take the hood off the car, point the light down at the lower pulley at high noon, and still see the mark wearing sunglasses. Inductive pick-up. None listed right now on Ebay. Prices run (used) from $25-$50 bucks.
The T-65 model is okay, but lacks the inductive pickup.
Sun Instruments made a damn nice unit in the late 1970s - all-steel body with inductive pick-up. I gave mine away years ago.
Best timing light we ever sold was the T-64 Niehoff - you could take the hood off the car, point the light down at the lower pulley at high noon, and still see the mark wearing sunglasses. Inductive pick-up. None listed right now on Ebay. Prices run (used) from $25-$50 bucks.
The T-65 model is okay, but lacks the inductive pickup.
Sun Instruments made a damn nice unit in the late 1970s - all-steel body with inductive pick-up. I gave mine away years ago.
rustyjames
Well-known member
That is a sweet looking truck. The time that must have been spent getting there shows. Not much input to give on the on the light other than what others mentioned.
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
Another option is to set the timing with a vacuum gauge. Rotate the distributor until maximum vacuum is reached and set it back just a touch.
andyvh1959
Well-known member
was cleaning up my tool cart the other day and still have my old chrome Craftsman timing light that I probably bought back in 78. Back when my Honda cycles and Toyota Celica still had points. I still use it a few times to set the Hall pickup electronic ignition on a Honda or Suzuki out of which I changed out the points ignition. Basic timing light but always worked well.
My dad always used to use a 12v light bulb set across the points to set the initial timing, and then set the distributor by ear.
My dad always used to use a 12v light bulb set across the points to set the initial timing, and then set the distributor by ear.