timing light

[wit2003]

What do you guys think of this timing light?

http://napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=BK_7002501_0384922210

versus say a harbor freight model?

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/diagnostics/timing-light-with-advance-40963.html

 

[Murphy4570]

Fancy digital kind is the way to go, IMO. I have an old style Craftsman one, but it pales in comparison to a nice digital that can show you RPM, etc.

Then again, how often do you use a timing light anymore? It is not a common tool anymore for a reason. Distributors were phased out of engine designs starting in the late 1980's, and were completely gone by 2001-2002 or so. Last holdouts were Nissan Quest minivans, IIRC.

 

[wit2003]

I wont use it very often and when i do it would just be on my SBC.

I can get the napa one for probably the same price as the HF from my buddies sister who works at napa, but that means i need to drive to her work....or i could just go to my local HF.

 

[sberry]

What is this sbc in, race type engine, stock, what trans?

 

[wit2003]

Its in fairly stock form...from what im told about the motor it has roller cams and ive added some long tube headers.

The ****** is a stock 200-4r

The vehicle is a 1987 Monte Carlo SS

 

[Den69rs96]

i have an actron digital timing light and an old craftsman regular old non dial back light. If you just going to disconnect your vac advance and set your inital timing, just get a basic timing light. However, If you going to set your total timing ie reving the engine to 3000 rpm, the digital dial backs are the way to go especially if you do not have a degreed balancer.

 

[crewchief888]

only time i needed one of the fancy "dial type" timing lights was on our race engines.

all i ever use is std timing light on anything else i've needed to time.


FWIW
my 4.3 tbi has a distributor, and that engine came out of a '91

 

[bochnak]

I would make sure its dial back and a tach would be nice.

Dial back and tach is good for checking advance curve or setting total timing.

I set my SBC timing to 36° at 3k RPM, where it is fully advanced. You can see how the dial back and tach would make this easier to accomplish.

 

[sberry]

Not sure about this engine but haven't used a timing light since I lost mine in a fire, normally on older engines we disconnect vac advance, step on brake (with engine warmed up) and advance till spark knocks, turn back a pinch, this compensates for fuel grade also.